MWE Correspondent
President William Ruto has reiterated that Kenya’s foreign policy decisions are guided primarily by the country’s national interests.
This comes amid recent discussions in the United States about reviewing Kenya’s status as a major non-NATO ally.
Speaking with representatives from the private sector, President Ruto emphasized that his government is focused on ensuring that international trade and diplomatic relations bring tangible benefits to Kenyan farmers and manufacturers. He highlighted the country’s trade dynamics with China, noting the significant imbalance in imports and exports.
“When I met with President Xi Jinping, I explained that Kenya imports goods worth 600 billion Kenyan shillings from China annually, but our exports to them make up only about five percent of that. That’s not a fair deal,” he said candidly.
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President Ruto added that China has agreed to open its market to Kenyan agricultural products such as tea, coffee, and avocados without imposing tariffs. Negotiations aimed at boosting exports are also underway with countries like India, Turkey, and Canada.
Despite concerns raised by some allies about Kenya’s trade ties, the president stressed that the government’s priority remains the welfare of Kenyans and the growth of local industries.
