The United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden is set to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally (MNNA)) marking Kenya as the first sub-Saharan African nation to receive this status.
The status is a designation given by the United States to countries that are not members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) but have a strategic working relationship with the U.S.
What this means is Kenya and the US will be able to freely enhance bilateral military and economic cooperation, without extending the mutual defense obligations required by the NATO membership regulations.
At the same time, the status will enable Kenya to obtain more sophisticated weapons from the United States as well engage in closer security cooperation.
Additionally, Kenya will join the list of other non-NATO allies including Japan, South Korea, Australia, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Argentina, New Zealand, Thailand, and Pakistan, among others.
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Benefits Kenya Will Get with the Non-NATO Ally Status
With the status, Kenya will enjoy military financial advantages like being eligible for training, loans of equipment for cooperative research and development.
Also, the country will be able to participate in specific defense and technology projects with the United States.
Additionally, the United States will be free to issue sophisticated military equipment and hardware to Kenya for national defense and for coalition operations.
On the other hand, the status grants Kenya the permission to take part in counterterrorism initiatives and receive expedited processing of arms exports.
However, in case of an attack, the status does not extend any obligations to the United States to defend Kenya in any way or ensure security guarantee.
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Ruto and Biden Meeting on Technology Collaborations
Earlier, after a meeting on Wednesday, May 22, the two presidents announced that they would launch a new era of technology cooperation between the two countries.
The new technological advancements will include work on cyber security, artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
“No partnership is as valuable as one that is anchored on technology. Kenya appreciates the noble gesture by the United States of America to put more resources in the digital space to expand opportunities and transform lives not only in Kenya but also across our continent,” Ruto said in a statement.
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