Ruto's selfish interests to blame for diplomatic mess, say critics

The move by the US government to review Kenya's non-NATO ally status has elicited strong reactions amid questions on the country's foreign policy.

President Donald Trump’s administration has made the proposal just a year after Kenya became the first Sub-Saharan African country to receive the prestigious designation.

On Wednesday, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua blamed impunity in Ruto’s administration for the Bill sponsored by Senator James Risch, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

According to Gachagua, Kenya has become a financial haven for individuals and entities on the Office of Foreign Assets Control Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list.

“Ruto, we warned you about Sudan's RSF and Al-Shabaab, we asked you to bar international crooks and foreign terrorist organisations and individuals from Kenya. Mr Ruto, Kenyans asked you to stop extrajudicial killings, unnecessary force and violence against civilians using state-sponsored militia, police brutality, forced abductions and disappearances, illegal detentions, and blatant abuse of human rights,” he said.

As the US Secretary of State prepares to report back to the Senate, Gachagua called on Kenyans to heighten advocacy to the international community until "we have the Kenya we want".

He urged Kenyans in the US to reach out to their Senators and inform them what is happening back home, saying Kenyans should not sit pretty as the country slips into anarchy and dictatorship.

“Mr William Ruto must answer to the people of Kenya and take full responsibility for shaming our beloved country, Kenya. Kenya stands to lose big in defence and security strategic partnerships in research, security training, military support, regional security roles with the USA, and enhanced bilateral relations,” he said.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi termed President William Ruto’s foreign policy as convoluted, adding that the country's image has been dented by "selfish, personalised decisions".

“Congo crisis was messed up by Ruto's pronouncements. Muslim countries’ relationship with Kenya was affected by Ruto's careless alignment with the Israeli massacre of Palestine. Look at the results of AU, Raila Odinga’s candidature was messed up by Ruto's bad continental policies,” he told The Standard.

“Nations pursue their self-interest, and your interactions in international politics must align with nations' selfish interests and our national goals. Kenya has the lowest rating on foreign policy since independence."

Former Cabinet Secretary and Speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi, said Kenya has been "shooting itself on the foot".

“When we entertain those militias, like the RSF, we ought to know that we are being partial in the way we are dealing with conflicts, and we should have known that, if we desired to be an impartial people, we should have thought of our actions,” he said.

Muturi regretted that Kenya has compromised its status as the avenue of peace it used to be, in addition to cases of abductions of both locals and foreigners.

“To come here and allow people to sit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre is wrong. We also did not do very well in involvement with the Democratic Republic of Congo because of personal business interest, same thing with the RSF,” he said.

“That blame can only be attributed to the erratic behaviour of our President, who does not listen to advice. We reduced our stature by placing our personal interests above the country’s image, and we are no longer viewed as arbiters in disputes.” 

Senator Dan Maanzo of Makueni also raised concerns over the diplomatic status, saying the world has known that Kenya "lies".

“The dual carriage to Mombasa, for instance. On that, Americans have been betrayed; our relationship with America is very cosmetic. We are in bed with the East,” he said.

Maanzo said major projects have stalled because of the country's dalliance with the East. "When it comes to the US, it cannot allow some things to happen, and that is why they are very right to remove us from that (non-NATO ally status).” 

But Uriri MP Mark Nyamita played down the Trump threat, saying the review of the status doesn't mean Kenya is a failed State. He said the move only shows that Kenya’s actions are being observed by the international community.

“Kenya is not a colony of any State; we are an independent nation. Kenya must first think about itself before the rest. As much as there are some advantages, Kenya’s affairs must come first,” he said.

Political analyst Javas Bigambo noted that although the ally status was conferred a year ago, there has been no significant implementation of the agreement since President Trump took office.

He termed the conferment as an appreciation of the strong bilateral ties between the two nations over the years.

“Nonetheless, the US is not much impressed with Kenya's increased dalliance with the East and the anxieties about the potential of joining BRICS. That is the crux of the current situation. So, the Sudan linkage only provides a convenient excuse to have Big Brother read the riot act to Kenya and arm-twist it to reconsider the emboldened dalliance with China,” he said.

Some civil society organisations also supported the US move. Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid said, despite Kenya being a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council,  the country is stifling democracy, silencing critics and killing protesters.

At the same time, Muturi accused Ruto of being obsessed with rhetoric, not outcomes. “Cabinet Secretaries compete on who can hold the most press conferences rather than who can deliver results. Government officials now measure success by trending hashtags and the number of influencers they can bribe to sanitise their record,” he said.

“No amount of public relations can hide the rot. Kenyans are not blind. They can see their taxes being squandered. They can see the hunger in their homes. They can feel the collapse of public services. They hear the same promises repeated over and over again, with nothing to show for them. If this government is allowed to continue, the line between governance and gaslighting will disappear entirely. We will live in a country where lies are official policy and truth is dismissed as sabotage.”

Muturi claimed the Judiciary, the media, civil society and other independent institutions are under attack.

“The President regularly lectures judges. Journalists are threatened and trolled by state-sponsored bots. Critics are branded as enemies of development. This administration does not tolerate dissent. It suppresses it through intimidation, coercion, and digital warfare,” he said.