Kenya surpasses Nigeria to gain U.S. major non-NATO ally status

President Joe Biden of the United States is granting Kenya major non-NATO ally status during the Kenyan leader’s visit to the U.S.

The designation, a first for sub-Saharan Africa, and mostly symbolic comes right before Kenya is expected to send 1,000 police officers to quell gang violence in Haiti.

The status is expected to strengthen ties between both nations and enhances strategic cooperation both in military and economic expectations while potentially boosting American influence in East Africa.

It allows Kenya to purchase advanced weaponry and deepen security cooperation with the U.S.

Both countries already collaborate on counterterrorism efforts against al-Shabaab. Kenya’s participation in the Ukraine aid group – a coalition of about 50 nations coordinating support for Kyiv against Moscow, further demonstrates their alignment and experts believe Kenya’s strong record makes it a deserving recipient of the status.

“If any country in Africa that does not already have the status has a prima facie case for being designated a major non-NATO ally, it is Kenya,” J. Peter Pham, a former top Africa official in the Trump administration, told U.S. publication, Politico.

The move comes amid U.S. concerns about China’s growing influence in Africa and Russia’s ties with Kenya.

Though Mr Biden has not yet visited Africa, this designation signifies a commitment to the continent and follows the release of a U.S. Africa strategy and a leaders’ summit in 2022.

Kenyan President Ruto’s three-day state visit includes discussions on economic and security matters, including deploying Kenyan officers to Haiti. The new status, while symbolic, could legitimize this mission.

First in Africa

Kenya becomes the first nation in sub-Saharan Africa, ahead of Nigeria and South Africa, to receive the designation. It is 19th globally and fourth in Africa, joining Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia as the only African countries with the status.

The MNNA is a designation given by the United States government to countries that have strategic working relationships with the U.S. Armed Forces while not being members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

While the U.S. is not treaty-bound to defend major non-NATO allies as it would with NATO members, the designation offers benefits in defense trade and security cooperation, according to US State Department.