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High-Level Diplomatic Talks in Washington
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, held a high-level meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The talks come just weeks after Mudavadi’s diplomatic mission to Beijing, underlining Nairobi’s balancing act between Eastern and Western global powers.
The session was at the US Department of State and focused on principal bilateral and regional issues, including security collaboration, growing trade, and greater diplomatic interaction between the United States and Kenya.
Strengthening Strategic Alignment with the US
Mudavadi highlighted that the negotiations were a continuation of Kenya's progressive effort to improve strategic relationships with America. "We emphasized the need to accelerate the Kenya–US Free Trade Agreement," he said, highlighting mutual interest in broadening economic cooperation.
The US, led by Secretary Rubio, reiterated its strong support for Kenya's contribution to promoting peace and stability in East Africa. Rubio praised Kenya's leadership in the region, especially through the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in conflict management in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kenya's Role in Regional and Global Peace Efforts
During the meeting, Mudavadi also updated the US side on the latest regional peace initiatives, such as Kenya's frontline role in a five-African heads of state peace process aimed at stabilizing the DRC. The discussions also touched on the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti.
Rubio, who is a strong believer in value-based US–Africa relations, noted Kenya's growing regional diplomacy and global peacekeeping missions. He expressed readiness to visit Nairobi to further deepen diplomatic relations, despite having recently canceled a scheduled African tour that included a visit to Kenya.
Kenya Balancing Between East and West
Mudavadi’s Washington visit followed his April trip to Beijing, where he engaged top Chinese officials on infrastructure financing, trade partnerships, and Kenya’s potential interest in closer ties with BRICS nations. This dual outreach highlights Kenya’s strategy of maintaining balanced diplomatic and economic relationships with both China and the US.
As global powers intensify their courting of Kenya due to its geopolitical importance in East Africa, Nairobi holds fast to its foreign policy with an emphasis on long-term economic growth and regional stability.