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In a move reflecting heightened U.S. concern over East Africa’s shifting geopolitical dynamics, the U.S. Senate has initiated a formal review of Kenya’s recently awarded status as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).
This development follows the introduction of Amendment 3628 to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 by Senator James Risch, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The amendment requires the U.S. Secretary of State to conduct a thorough review of Kenya’s MNNA designation within 90 days of the bill’s enactment, with a classified report due to Congress within 180 days.
The review is driven by growing unease over Kenya’s deepening ties with China, Russia, Iran, and other regional actors. It will examine multiple aspects of Kenya’s international engagements, including diplomatic and defense relationships established since June 2024, the date Kenya became the first sub-Saharan African nation to receive MNNA status. The assessment will also explore allegations of misuse of U.S. military and intelligence support, with specific attention to human rights violations such as abductions, torture, or renditions.
Additionally, Kenya’s connections with controversial armed groups like Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Somalia’s al‑Shabab will be scrutinized, alongside concerns that Kenya may be serving as a financial haven for U.S.-sanctioned individuals or networks. The review will also evaluate Nairobi’s effectiveness in counterterrorism, peacekeeping efforts, and its broader economic ties with Washington.
Losing MNNA status would have significant consequences for Kenya. It currently benefits from access to advanced U.S. military technology, surplus defense equipment, joint research programs, and priority treatment in certain export categories, especially space-related hardware. Revocation could strip Kenya of eligibility for U.S. military loans and training, priority in defense materials acquisition, and opportunities to participate in Pentagon contracts for equipment maintenance and repair.
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As a strategic player in East Africa, any shift in Kenya’s alignment could impact the regional balance of power and create space for greater Chinese and Russian influence. While Nairobi is reportedly monitoring the situation carefully, it has yet to issue an official response. The final review will be presented to key U.S. congressional committees overseeing foreign relations, armed services, and intelligence, potentially reshaping the future of U.S.–Kenya security cooperation.
