Kenya
Updated August 29, 2023
Kenya
Successive U.S. Administrations have viewed Kenya as a
Figure 1. Kenya Facts
strategic partner and critical to counterterrorism efforts in
East Africa. The country is sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth-
largest economy, a regional finance and transportation hub,
and a top tourism destination known for its biodiversity and
conservation efforts. It is a regional leader in clean energy,
drawing over 90% of its electricity from renewable sources.
Kenya is home to one of four major UN offices worldwide.
It hosts the largest U.S. embassy in sub-Saharan Africa and
U.S. forces supporting counterterrorism efforts in Somalia.
Kenya regularly ranks among the top U.S. foreign aid
recipients globally. Congressional interests in Kenya are
Sources: CRS, with data from CIA and IMF reference databases.
wide-ranging; legislative action has focused predominately
on democracy, human rights, and terrorism concerns.
Political Context & Background
Kenya was essentially a one-party state from 1964 to 1991.
Election-related violence has threatened Kenya’s reputation
After the transition to a multiparty system, ethnic identity,
as an anchor state in a volatile region on several occasions.
rather than ideology, became the primary line of political
Economic frustration, historical land disputes, corruption,
cleavage. No ethnic group has a large enough voting bloc
and other abuses have fueled grievances. Perceived
for its political leaders to gain or maintain power alone, so
impunity has been a trigger for protests and violence, and a
they form cross-ethnic alliances, which periodically shift.
source of tension with donors. Freedom House ranks Kenya
“Partly Free” in its Freedom in the World index, noting that
For almost 40 years after independence, the ethnic groups
despite regular elections, pervasive corruption and police
of Kenya’s first and second presidents—the Kikuyu and
brutality are serious problems, and journalists and human
Kalenjin—were seen to benefit disproportionately from the
rights defenders face restrictive laws and intimidation.
allocation of state resources, namely land, government jobs,
and contracts. The heartlands of these communities, the
Kenya’s August 2022 elections were the most recent polls
central highlands and Rift Valley, received greater state
to test its democratic institutions. With President Uhuru
investment in schools, roads, and health services. Western
Kenyatta term limited, the race was a close contest between
Kenya and the predominately Muslim coast and northeast
his deputy, William Ruto, and longtime opposition leader
remained comparatively underdeveloped. The disparities
and five-time presidential candidate Raila Odinga. In a
and perception of ethnic favoritism fostered divisions.
twist, Kenyatta backed his formal rival over Ruto. When
Ruto—who waged a populist, anti-establishment campaign
Daniel arap Moi, Kenya’s long-ruling second president
—was declared the winner with just over 50% of the vote,
(1978-2002), dominated politics through repression,
Odinga challenged the result in court, alleging fraud. The
patronage, and electoral manipulation until he retired, under
court upheld Ruto’s victory. Election observer reviews were
donor pressure. Opposition parties came together, briefly, to
mixed: they described the polls as more peaceful and
defeat his chosen successor, Uhuru Kenyatta (son of Moi’s
transparent than the three preceding, but marred by rigging
predecessor, Jomo Kenyatta), in the historic 2002 elections.
allegations and other controversies. Tax hikes and the cost
The crisis that followed the 2007 elections is relevant to
of living have driven anti-government protests in 2023.
understanding Kenya today. Political realignments created a
The Somalia-based Al Qaeda affiliate Al Shabaab poses a
volatile ethnic dynamic, and when the incumbent president,
persistent threat in Kenya, which contributes troops to the
Mwai Kibaki (a Kikuyu), was named the winner of a close
African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the UN-
race amid rigging charges, protests led to violence, largely
backed regional stabilization operation previously known as
along ethnic lines. Some of the worst violence was between
AMISOM. While attacks near the border with Somalia are
Kikuyu and Kalenjin, whose political leaders backed
more common, high-profile attacks in Nairobi—on a mall
Kibaki’s leading opponent, Odinga (a Luo). In six weeks,
in 2013 and a hotel in 2019—underscore Al Shabaab’s
1,300 people were killed and 600,000 displaced. Kenya was
reach in the country. In 2020, a U.S. servicemember and
paralyzed for months, until a power-sharing deal was
two U.S. contractors were killed in an attack on Manda Bay
brokered, with U.S. support, between Kibaki and Odinga.
Airfield, a Kenyan base used by the U.S. military near the
An International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into
Somali border. Al Shabaab says its attacks are retaliation
the post-election violence led to charges of crimes against
for Kenya’s intervention in Somalia; it labels Kenyan and
humanity against four people, including then-Deputy Prime
U.S. military operations there as part of a “Western crusade
Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalenjin politician William
against Muslims.” Studies suggest that security force abuses
Ruto, both protégés of Moi who were on opposing sides in
in Kenya have contributed to radicalization and extremist
2007. The ICC cases were prominent in the 2013 elections,
recruitment. See also CRS In Focus IF10170, Al Shabaab.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Kenya
when Kenyatta ran with Ruto as his deputy, against Odinga.
refugee camps, Kenya adopted a law in 2021 that provides
They portrayed the cases as emblematic of racial bias by the
new opportunities, rights, and protections for refugees.
ICC and Western meddling. Kenyatta narrowly won,
The Economy
avoiding a runoff against Odinga by less than 1% of votes.
Kenya is one of Africa’s most diverse and fastest growing
The ICC trials were plagued by political interference and
economies. Agriculture dominates, but manufacturing and
witness intimidation. The Prosecutor withdrew the charges
real estate also drive growth; the services sector leads in job
against Kenyatta in 2014 and terminated the Ruto case in
creation. The telecom industry is a global pioneer in mobile
2016, citing insufficient evidence and noncompliance by
banking. Development challenges persist: Kenya has made
the government. Neither was acquitted, leaving the
limited progress in cutting extreme poverty, food insecurity,
possibility of new charges but allowing their reelection run
and maternal mortality. Drought, supply-chain disruptions,
in 2017. A new ICC trial opened in 2022, against a Kenyan
and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have fueled inflation.
lawyer accused of witness tampering “for the benefit of,
and in collaboration with” Ruto, but was terminated when
Kenyatta’s government led reforms to improve the business
the accused died weeks after Ruto took office.
environment and attract investment, including from China,
which has backed major infrastructure projects, including a
Violence, rigging allegations, and police brutality marred
controversial railway that is part of China’s Belt and Road
the Kenyatta-Odinga rematch in 2017. When Kenyatta was
Initiative. External debt rose from 42% of GDP when
declared the winner, Odinga went to the Supreme Court. It
Kenyatta took office to almost 70% in 2022; about 50% of
nullified the result in a landmark ruling, citing
government revenue now goes to debt payments. Ruto
“irregularities and illegalities” in the process that “affected
pledged spending cuts and more transparency on loans from
the integrity of the poll.” The justices, who faced threats,
China (totaling over $6 billion). The International Monetary
ordered fresh elections, but Odinga boycotted the re-run,
Fund supports his tax hikes, which are publicly unpopular.
terming the process flawed. Unopposed, Kenyatta won. The
U.S. Policy and Assistance
opposition continued to contest his legitimacy, and held a
mock inauguration for Odinga that the government termed
Bilateral ties have been historically close, although human
treasonous. The ensuing crackdown and state defiance of
rights, governance, and corruption concerns sometimes
court orders led former U.S. officials and Members of
complicate the relationship. The Trump and Kenyatta
Congress to raise alarm; U.S. diplomats worked to reduce
Administrations launched a “Strategic Partnership” during
tensions. When Kenyatta and Odinga announced a deal to
Kenyatta’s White House visit in 2018. Nearly $900 million
end the standoff, Ruto saw it as a betrayal, and major
in commercial deals were announced during his visit; direct
reconfiguration of political allegiances followed.
flights, once blocked over security concerns, started later
that year. Free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations began in
The 2022 polls occurred amid public frustration with high
2020, but the Biden Administration has not pursued them.
living costs, disillusion with the political class, and fear of
Instead, the United States and Kenya announced a Strategic
another post-election crisis. Ruto capitalized on economic
Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in July 2022.
frustrations and, with a Kikuyu running mate and political
allies, divided the Kikuyu vote. Odinga also had a Kikuyu
On his first official trip to Africa, Kenya was Secretary of
running mate—Kenya’s first female candidate on a major
State Antony Blinken’s first stop. He emphasized the
ticket—and Kenyatta’s endorsement, but incumbent support
strategic partnership and Kenya’s regional peacemaking
was not enough to secure a win. Lower turnout hinted at
role during the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, during
voter apathy, particularly among young Kenyans.
which U.S. and Kenyan officials signed a civil nuclear
cooperation deal. Kenya’s 2021/2022 UN Security Council
President Ruto has sought to court international investment,
term presented additional opportunities to collaborate,
and to position Kenya as a global voice on climate change
including on Ethiopia, Ukraine, and climate change.
and an advocate, on Africa’s behalf, for climate finance and
reforms to the international financial system. Political
President Ruto has sought to reset U.S. perceptions and
challenges at home distract from his agenda, however. The
strengthen bilateral ties. At the same time, he seeks to
opposition continues to contest his presidency. Inflation, tax
maintain a “robust friendship” with China, and his party has
hikes, and discontent have fueled anti-government protests,
sought to cultivate ties with the China’s ruling party. Kenya
during which police have reportedly killed over 30 people.
was a vocal critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and
The state’s response prompted a civil society warning in
more recently its exit from the Black Sea Grain deal, which
July 2023 that Kenya risks becoming “a police state.”
has raised food prices. Ruto has pursued more trade with
Russia, but he declined to attend its latest Africa summit.
Human rights groups caution that Kenya could follow
Uganda in passing strict anti-LGBTQ legislation. While a
Kenya is routinely among the top recipients of U.S. foreign
colonial-era law bans gay sex, Kenya has been a relative
aid. Bilateral aid, largely focused on HIV/AIDS and other
refuge in the region for those fleeing LGBTQ persecution.
health programs, totaled over $507 million in FY2022;
Humanitarian Issues
humanitarian aid totaled over $315 million. The FY2024
budget request includes over $511 million for the country.
Parts of Kenya are struggling with the region’s longest
Kenya is a top African recipient of U.S. security assistance,
drought in decades. Over 4 million Kenyans need food aid.
although security force abuses have posed some challenges
Pastoralist communities have been hit particularly hard.
for cooperation. Alongside State Department-managed
Kenya hosts over 550,000 refugees, most from Somalia and
military assistance, the Defense Department has provided
South Sudan. After previously threatening to close its
over $400 million in counterterrorism aid in the last decade.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Kenya
IF10168
Lauren Ploch Blanchard, Specialist in African Affairs
Disclaimer
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10168 · VERSION 24 · UPDATED