“Kenya First”: Ruto Defends China Ties Amid U.S. Pressure

President William Ruto has defended Kenya’s growing ties with China, brushing off moves by the U.S. Congress to strip the country of its Major Non-NATO Ally status.

Speaking at a Presidential Roundtable, Ruto emphasised that Kenya’s engagement with China is purely driven by national interest, particularly economic gains. He revealed that China has agreed to eliminate key tariffs on Kenyan exports, a move he said will greatly boost bilateral trade and benefit local producers.