President William Ruto on Thursday held talks with United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at State House, Nairobi, during the senior American official’s two-day visit to Kenya.According to a statement released after the meeting, the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing key regional and global issues of shared concern.
President Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to deepening its long-standing partnership with the United States, describing the relationship as one founded on mutual respect and common interests. During the talks, the two leaders highlighted the Kenya–US Health Cooperation Framework valued at Ksh.208 billion, signed last year. The agreement, the first under the America First Global Health Strategy, adopts a government-to-government approach and is designed to enhance the delivery of Kenya’s universal healthcare agenda by reducing reliance on intermediary organisations.
This agreement is a clear demonstration of the strong and productive relationship between our two countries
President RutoThe President also underscored the importance of trade relations between Kenya and the United States. In 2024, Kenya exported goods worth $737 million to the US, while imports from the United States into Kenya were valued at $771 million. He welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for an additional three years, noting that the programme continues to provide duty-free and quota-free access for a wide range of African products to the US market
At the bilateral level, Kenya and the United States are engaged in negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive trade agreement. Progress has already been made in areas such as tariff adjustments, digital trade frameworks, and investment facilitation. On matters of regional and global security, President Ruto thanked the United States for its support in strengthening the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. He noted that ongoing assistance, including the provision of equipment and vehicles, would help transition the mission into a more effective gang suppression force.
The leaders also exchanged views on counterterrorism efforts and the fight against violent extremism in Somalia. Additionally, the crisis in Sudan featured prominently in the discussions. President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s willingness to offer logistical support to ease the humanitarian situation, particularly in the delivery of food, medical supplies, and other essential aid to millions affected by the conflict. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment by Kenya and the United States to expanding cooperation in trade, security, healthcare, and humanitarian response across the region and beyond.
