President Joe Biden has officially designated Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally in a presidential memorandum, Presidential Determination No. 2024-05, addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The statement was released by the White House on Monday 24th June 2024.
The status of Major Non-NATO Ally is a powerful symbol of the country’s strategic importance to the United States, offering Kenya a range of military and financial advantages.
“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 517 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2321k), I hereby designate Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States for the purposes of the Act and the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.),” Biden stated in the memorandum.
Benefits Kenya Will Get with the Non-NATO Ally Status
The designation allows Kenya to benefit from various military privileges, including priority delivery of surplus defense articles, participation in defense research and development programs, and eligibility for loans of equipment and materials for cooperative training.
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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.
Kenya now joins the list of other non-NATO allies including Japan, South Korea, Australia, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Argentina, New Zealand, Thailand, and Pakistan, among others.
This status does not, however, entail any security commitments akin to those of NATO members.
US-Kenya Relationship
Kenya has been a crucial partner for the United States in East Africa, playing a key role in counterterrorism efforts and promoting regional stability.
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This new designation shows the strategic importance of Kenya and reaffirms the United States’ commitment to its ally.
The Secretary of State was directed to publish this determination in the Federal Register, ensuring its formal and public acknowledgment.
This announcement comes days after President Ruto held talks with the Haiti Transitional Presidential Council, chaired by Engineer Edgard Leblanc Fils on June 19th, 2024.
Ruto promised to safeguard shared principles of humanity to advance peace, security, and stability.
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