FOREIGN
RELATIONS
Despite internal tensions in Sudan and Ethiopia, Kenya has maintained good relations with its northern neighbors. Recent relations with Uganda and Tanzania have improved as the three countries work for mutual economic benefit.
Kenya has hosted and played an active role in the negotiations to resolve the civil war in Sudan and to reinstate a central government authority in Somalia. The Sudan peace negotiations have made major progress, resulting in the signing in Kenya of agreements between the Khartoum government and the southern Sudan rebels to put an end to the two-decade-long war. On January 9, 2005 a Sudan North-South Comprehensive Peace Accord was signed in Nairobi. Negotiations in the Somali National Reconciliation Conference resulted at the end of 2004 in the establishing of Somali Transitional Federal Institutions (Assembly, President, Prime Minister, and Government). Until early 2005, Kenya served as a major host both for these institutions and for refugees from Somalia as well as Sudan. Between May and June 2005, members of the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions relocated to Somalia.
Kenya maintains a moderate profile in Third World politics. Kenya's relations with Western countries are generally friendly, although current political and economic instabilities are sometimes blamed on Western pressures.
U.S.-KENYAN
RELATIONS
The United States and Kenya have enjoyed cordial relations since Kenya's independence. Relations became even closer after Kenya’s democratic transition of 2002 and subsequent improvements in human rights.
More than 9,000 U.S. citizens are registered with the U.S. Embassy as residents of Kenya. In 2007 almost 100,000 Americans visited Kenya, up 18% from 2006. About two-thirds of resident Americans are missionaries and their families. U.S. business investment is estimated to be more than $285 million, primarily in commerce, light manufacturing, and the tourism industry.
Al Qaeda terrorists bombed the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi on August 7, 1998, taking hundreds of lives and maiming thousands more. Since that event, the Kenyan and U.S. Governments have intensified cooperation to address all forms of insecurity in Kenya, including terrorism. The United States provides equipment and training to Kenyan security forces, both civilian and military. In its dialog with the Kenyan Government, the United States urges effective action against corruption and insecurity as the two greatest impediments to Kenya achieving sustained, rapid economic growth.
U.S. assistance to Kenya is substantial. It promotes broad-based economic
development as the basis for continued progress in political, social, and
related areas of national life. The U.S. assistance strategy is built around
five broad objectives: Fighting disease and improving healthcare; fighting
poverty and promoting private sector-led prosperity; advancing shared democratic
values, human rights, and good governance; cooperating to fight insecurity and
terrorism; and collaborating to foster peace and stability in East Africa. The
Peace Corps, which usually has 150 volunteers in Kenya, is integral to the
overall U.S. assistance strategy in Kenya. Peace Corps volunteers were withdrawn
from Kenya due to instability and civil unrest in early 2008, but the program
resumed Kenya operations within a few months.
Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Michael E. Ranneberger
Deputy Chief of Mission--Pamela Slutz
USAID Mission Director--Erna Kerst
Public Affairs Officer--T.J. Dowling
The U.S. Embassy in Kenya is located on UN Avenue, Nairobi, P.O. Box 606, Village Market, Nairobi (tel. 254-20-363-6000; fax 254-20-363-6157).
