CS Alfred Mutua meets Blinken in Washington DC

The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Kenya convened the third edition of the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Kenya in Washington, D.C. on April 24, 2023. The strategic partnership between the United States and Kenya is based on cooperation, mutual respect, and mutual respect. A common vision for sustainable development. The US Secretary of State Anthony J. procedures:

The first pillar – economic prosperity, trade and investment

The United States and Kenya are committed to increasing mutual trade and investment cooperation through the Kenya-United States Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership and by prioritizing economic and trade programs. Through these joint efforts, the United States and Kenya seek to work to create at least one million new jobs each year in Kenya and significantly reduce food insecurity over the next five years.

Today’s dialogue builds on key milestones, including the successful second round of trade and investment partnership talks between the United States and Kenya, President William Ruto’s announcement of important economic reforms at the American Chamber of Commerce summit March 29-30 in Nairobi, and several U.S. New – associated investments in health, agriculture and energy sectors in Kenya. Kenya requests continued technical support and assistance in the sectors of information and communication technology, agricultural processing, clothing and medicines.

The second pillar – defense cooperation

The United States and Kenya renewed their commitment to implement the instruments signed during the 2022 Bilateral Defense Forum, including: a five-year security cooperation plan to enhance Kenya’s capabilities to counter violent extremist organizations; strengthening regional security; advanced marine surveillance; and support Kenyan military academic institutions. The United States commended Kenya for its role in promoting stability in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In support of these peace efforts, the United States will seek to increase the KDF’s military aviation capabilities. The two governments committed to increasing Kenya’s capabilities at the Kenyan military airport in Manda Bay to counter Al-Shabaab and support the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia. The United States has committed to complete the $5 million Counterinsurgency, Terrorism and Stabilization Operations Center.

Pillar III – Democracy, governance and civil security

The United States and Kenya reaffirmed their respect for democratic principles and highlighted Kenya’s free and fair 2022 elections, which were credible and peaceful, as well as its democratic transition. Both governments renewed their commitment to promoting accountable and effective democratic institutions; strengthening the rule of law and respect for human rights; Addressing governance and fiscal transparency. The United States committed to continue supporting Kenya’s efforts to advance police reforms and accountability.

The United States and Kenya also committed to continue standing together against illegal wildlife exploitation caused by international organized crime. The two governments pledged to explore cooperation in developing and strengthening the capacity of the Kenyan judiciary. Kenya and the United States also committed to continuing strong counterterrorism cooperation within Kenya and the region. The United States will continue to partner with Kenyan law enforcement agencies and judicial institutions to build capacity to disrupt, respond to, and investigate cases of corruption, acts of terrorism, and transnational organized crime.

Both sides pledged to support a forensic medicine program aimed at increasing Kenya’s capacity to collect, analyze and preserve evidence in counter-terrorism investigations and prosecutions. The two countries also committed to expanding their partnership to defend against shared cyber threats, reaffirmed their mutual commitment to an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet, and announced their intention to convene a second US-Kenyan Digital Cyber ​​Dialogue later this year. .

Pillar IV – Multilateral and Regional Issues

Kenya and the United States pledged to continue working together to address instability in the Horn of Africa and beyond, including in response to growing humanitarian needs stemming from food insecurity and forced displacement. The United States pledged to continue to assist Kenya in responding to the unprecedented drought and resulting food insecurity, highlighting more than $500 million in humanitarian assistance provided by the United States over the past year. The United States reaffirmed its support for Kenya’s important contributions to regional security in Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The United States highlighted Kenya’s leadership in support of peace initiatives in eastern DRC, pledged to continue to explore financial and logistical support for the East African Community-led Nairobi process, and offered to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kenyan diaspora. Affairs to increase its ability to support regional peace negotiations. The United States has commended Kenya for being a generous and long-standing host for refugees from neighboring countries. The two countries committed to support economic development, invest in communities hosting refugees, and promote self-reliance. The United States and Kenya committed to working with the United Nations and other partners to support the transition of refugee camps into integrated settlements. The two countries also committed to working together to promote durable solutions including peacebuilding efforts and to explore the nexus between Human Development and Peace (HDP) which is key to voluntary, dignified and sustainable return to countries of origin.

Fifth pillar – health cooperation

Both sides noted that the long-standing health partnership between the United States and Kenya has made significant progress in combating communicable and non-communicable diseases. There is ongoing collaboration in health systems strengthening, management of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, immunization, family planning, reproductive health, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH). Through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the joint efforts of the Ministry of Health, Kenya is on track to achieve President Ruto’s goal of fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2025 and sustained epidemic control Kenya-owned, Kenya-led, funded From Kenya. The Global Health Security Intensive Support Partnership continues to strengthen laboratory capacity in Kenya, expand and train Kenya’s health workforce, and enable early and accurate disease detection. The United States and Kenya welcome the ongoing partnership between their respective National Cancer Institutes, which has led to significant advances in global cancer research and improved access to quality cancer care for Kenyans. The two governments agreed to continue joint efforts to strengthen and streamline Kenya’s legal and regulatory framework to ensure transparency and accountability in Kenya’s public health commodity supply chain. This will increase Kenyans’ access to affordable, quality medical goods and equipment and support Kenya’s capacity to manufacture and export medical products. The United States and Kenya committed to increasing domestic human vaccine and drug manufacturing capacity in Kenya, including by incentivizing foreign direct investment and skill transfer, as well as operating the National Institute of Public Health by formally defining its role, responsibilities, and authorities.