By Kamadi Amata
The United States has assured Kenya of its continued support across key sectors, pledging to deepen the long-standing partnership between the two nations despite shifting global geopolitical dynamics.
US Chargé d’Affaires Susan Burns delivered the assurance during a courtesy call on the Speaker of the National Assembly Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, on Monday.
Burns commended Kenya for its leading role in promoting global peace, singling out its intervention in Haiti as a demonstration of international responsibility.
“Kenya deserves immense credit for what it has done,” Burns stated. “The Haiti matter will be top of the agenda this week during the UN General Assembly. We understand the concern over financial questions; it has been a struggle but Kenya’s commitment has not gone unnoticed.”
Her remarks came after Speaker Wetang’ula asked the US to reconsider its decision to withdraw funding for the Kenya-led Haiti mission, which is now slated for conversion into a UN operation.
“There was anticipated financial support, there was a commitment, what happened? Kenya has done more than it needed to do,” Wetang’ula asked.
Burns revealed that President William Ruto is expected to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, where the Haiti mission and the broader US-Kenya relations will be central to discussions.
Speaker Wetang’ula further raised concerns about the impact of the suspension of USAID operations in Kenya, particularly on the health sector.
In response, Burns disclosed that she had already engaged with Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to explore ways of cushioning affected sectors.
“Even before USAID’s withdrawal, Kenya had achieved epidemic control in HIV, which is an incredible milestone worth celebrating,” she noted.
“The US still remains the largest donor in health and humanitarian assistance.”
The discussions also touched on trade and economic cooperation. The Speaker expressed concern about the 10 percent tariff on Kenyan exports to the US, warning of its negative impact on Kenya’s trade and growth.
Burns clarified that both countries are looking to negotiate a broad, comprehensive trade agreement, adding: “We are waiting for our US trade representative to give us a green light, but negotiations will start very soon.”
On infrastructure, Wetang’ula reminded the US of its earlier pledge to support the expansion of the Nairobi–Mombasa highway, urging Washington to make good on its promise.
Burns, in turn, pledged to engage US tech companies to invest in Kenya, particularly in the creative industry, which she described as “a sleeping giant” with untapped opportunities for young people.
The Speaker also urged the US to play a more proactive role in peace and stability, both in the East African region and beyond.
“The US, Kenya, and the UN are guarantors of South Sudan’s independence, but we have allowed it to degenerate into a failed state. We need serious international intervention,” Wetang’ula said.
He further appealed to Washington not to abdicate its global leadership role in resolving conflicts, pointing to ongoing crises in the Middle East and the EAC region.
With the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) having scheduled 24 by-elections for November 27, Burns sought assurances on the measures taken to restore public trust in the reconstituted commission.
Wetang’ula admitted that mistrust in the polls team remains a long-standing challenge.
“The public mistrust of IEBC is historical and may not fade soon. I have told them to pay fidelity to the law and deliver elections that are free for the voter and fair to the candidate,” he said.
He further urged the US, through its agencies, to continue supporting capacity-building efforts for the electoral body.
Kenya and the United States share a decades-long partnership spanning security cooperation, trade, health, infrastructure, energy, and tourism.
Both sides emphasized the importance of sustaining and expanding this relationship under the current administrations.
