Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) by the United States is now facing formal review.
This follows an amendment proposed by Senator Jim Risch to the U.S. Senate bill S. 2296, which focuses on military and defense spending for the 2026 fiscal year.
The amendment calls for a detailed reassessment of Kenya’s new status, which was officially granted on June 24, 2024. Within 90 days of the bill becoming law, the U.S. Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretaries of Defense and Treasury, along with the Director of National Intelligence, must begin a full review of Kenya’s position.
A classified report of the findings must be submitted to Congress within 180 days.
The review will examine several areas of concern.
First, it will assess how Kenya has worked with the United States in fighting violent extremism, promoting peace and security in Africa and Haiti, and participating in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations. It will also look at Kenya’s role as an economic partner of the U.S.
Another focus of the review is Kenya’s military and security ties with China, Russia, and Iran. The report will need to provide a detailed account of any recent joint operations, military engagements, or agreements involving Kenya and these three countries since it was granted MNNA status.
There is also concern over political and financial connections between Kenyan political figures or institutions and the governments of China, Russia, and Iran.
The U.S. wants to know whether these relationships could undermine Kenya’s alignment with American interests.
The review will go even further by evaluating whether Kenyan officials or government bodies have links with non-state armed groups, including the Rapid Support Forces and the extremist group al-Shabaab.
Kenya’s trade and investment relationship with China is another major point. The report will examine Kenya’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, its level of bilateral debt to China, and other commercial relationships.
The U.S. government also wants to know whether Kenya is being used as a financial hiding place by individuals and groups under American sanctions or those listed as terrorist entities, especially from nearby countries like South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, and Somalia.
Lastly, there will be a deep assessment of how Kenya uses American security assistance and intelligence support.
The review aims to establish if any U.S. support is being misused to target civilians through acts such as abductions, torture, or politically motivated violence.
This comprehensive review raises serious questions about the future of Kenya’s status as a Major Non-NATO Ally. Depending on the findings, it could result in reduced military cooperation, restricted funding, or changes in intelligence sharing between the two nations.
The amendment outlines that findings will be submitted to key Congressional committees dealing with foreign relations, armed services, and intelligence.
The outcome of this review will be crucial not only for Kenya’s international standing but also for its internal political and security conduct going forward.
