Kenya and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, security, infrastructure development and regional stability following high-level talks held in Nairobi. The discussions brought together Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, underscoring the strategic importance both countries attach to their long-standing partnership.
Speaking after the talks, Dr. Mudavadi said the visit provided an opportunity to review progress and advance dialogue on a broad range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. He noted that the two sides held constructive discussions on trade and investment, energy and infrastructure, defence cooperation, and peace and security, while exploring new ways to further strengthen Kenya–U.S. strategic relations.
The Prime CS observed that Kenya and the United States have, over the years, registered significant gains in areas such as trade, counter-terrorism, health, education and development cooperation. He said these efforts have not only supported shared prosperity but also contributed to stability across the wider region, positioning Kenya as a key anchor state in East Africa.
Dr. Mudavadi welcomed progress towards the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for a further three years, describing it as a critical milestone in sustaining and expanding bilateral trade. He said AGOA has supported thousands of jobs in Kenya and widened access for Kenyan products to the U.S. market, reaffirming Nairobi’s commitment to mutually beneficial trade relations.
On security and infrastructure, Dr. Mudavadi highlighted the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Manda Bay runway as a landmark symbol of deepening cooperation. He said continued U.S. support in strengthening critical infrastructure enhances operational readiness, promotes regional peace and security, and delivers positive spillover effects for local development.
He also cited a recognition event honouring Kenyan police officers who served under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, describing it as an affirmation of Kenya’s leadership in international peacekeeping. According to Dr. Mudavadi, the recognition reflects strong mutual respect and shared commitment between Kenya and the United States in advancing global peace and stability.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, for his part, thanked President William Ruto and the Government of Kenya for the warm reception, describing Kenya as a key strategic partner for Washington in Africa. He recalled the 1998 bombing at Nairobi’s August 7 Memorial Park as a reminder of shared security challenges, and stressed that strong economic and commercial ties provide a foundation for deeper political and security cooperation, including through infrastructure investments in corridors such as Mombasa and Lamu.
Landau praised Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti mission, noting that while Kenya led in providing personnel, the United States assumed the lead role in financial contributions under a UN-authorised framework. Both sides emphasised that security is a prerequisite for investment, job creation and sustainable growth, with Dr. Mudavadi stressing that the Haiti mission and regional security efforts would not succeed without close Kenya–U.S. collaboration.
