Mudavadi: Kenya committed to strengthening strategic ties with US
Kenya is seeking to deepen its strategic partnership with the United States, with cooperation in security, trade, health, technology and emerging sectors.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said Washington remains a critical partner in Kenya’s pursuit of peace, economic transformation and sustainable development.
CS Mudavadi spoke at the Railways Building after overseeing the signing of the Kenya–United States Bilateral Work Agreement (BWA) by United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia and Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei.
He said the agreement should be viewed within the wider relationship between Nairobi and Washington, which is anchored on shared interests, mutual respect and a common commitment to regional and global stability. “Kenya regards the United States as a critical strategic partner, and we remain committed to strengthening this relationship for the mutual benefit of our two peoples,” CS Mudavadi said.
He said the partnership covers defence and security, health, trade and investment, regional peace and security, technology, governance and economic development.
Mudavadi said recent bilateral arrangements, including strengthened cooperation in defence, security and health, demonstrate the depth of the relationship. He pointed to the recent visit to Kenya by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander Gen Dagvin Anderson, who held discussions with President William Ruto, as an example of high-level engagement.
Kenya is also preparing to host the fourth session of the Kenya–US Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in early December 2026. The dialogue was established in 2018. Mudavadi said Kenya hopes the session will also provide an opportunity to welcome US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
On trade, he said Kenya’s position as a gateway to East Africa, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area gives it access to a continental market of more than 1.4 billion people. He welcomed the US House of Representatives’ decision to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to December 31, 2028. AGOA supports jobs and exports in textiles and apparel, horticulture and manufacturing.
Kenya, he said, will continue engaging Washington under the Kenya–US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade Framework.
Health is another major area. Mudavadi cited the Health Cooperation Framework signed in December 2025 and the five-year Strategic Objective Grant Agreement supporting Universal Health Coverage. He also highlighted cooperation with Pfizer Overseas LLC on vaccination and access to medicines.
On security, Mudavadi said Kenya and the US share interests in promoting stability in Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. “The undesirable challenges to global peace and security have undermined the economic gains of the last decade. This makes continued mutual collaboration essential as we confront the complex global security environment,” he said.
Looking ahead, Kenya wants deeper US cooperation in artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure protection, secure digital connectivity, energy security, clean and nuclear energy, and critical minerals.
Mudavadi said Kenya also sees scope for cooperation in mineral processing and value addition. “While much has been accomplished, there is need to continuously engage each other and explore more avenues of cooperation owing to the enormous potential available,” Mudavadi said.
