US President Joe Biden has named Kenya a major non-NATO ally, making it the first sub-Saharan African country to hold the title.
Biden announced the move during a three-day state visit by Kenyan President William Ruto.
It was the first such visit to Washington by an African leader in 15 years, as Russia and China expand their influence on the continent.
Some governments in the Sahel and West Africa have also fallen into military coups, leading to the cancellation of cooperation missions with Western countries.
An extension of its status as a major non-NATO ally would allow Nairobi to engage in closer security cooperation with Washington and gain access to more advanced U.S. weapons.
Biden told a joint press conference with Ruto at the White House on Thursday that doing so was “the culmination of many years of cooperation.”
Kenya has become a key U.S. security partner in East Africa and is a member of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group alliance, which meets to coordinate how to arm Kyiv against Moscow.
Its strengthening alliance with the United States comes as Washington faces setbacks elsewhere in Africa.
This week, the Pentagon confirmed a full withdrawal of about 1,000 troops from Niger by September after a breakdown in security cooperation.
Niger’s democratically elected president has grown closer to Russia and Iran since he was ousted in a coup last year.
Washington is also pleased with Kenya’s recent pledge to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti.
President Biden’s only call to sub-Saharan African leaders last year was to Mr Ruto, regarding Nairobi’s pledge to lead a multinational force to the Caribbean country.
“Our joint counterterrorism operations have weakened ISIS and al-Shabaab across East Africa,” Biden said.
“Our mutual support for Ukraine unites the world behind the United Nations Charter. Our joint efforts in Haiti are helping pave the way to reduce instability and insecurity.”
Ruto said Biden was “a strong and loyal friend of Kenya and Africa.”
Once approved by the U.S. Congress, Kenya will become the 19th country to be designated a major non-NATO ally.
