Gachagua backs US move to review Kenya's non-NATO ally status

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared his support of the proposal for the United States to review Kenya's designation as a major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally.

Speaking during a media roundtable engagement in Kansas as part of his tour of the United States, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said there is a legitimate need for the U.S. to investigate cases of police brutality, abductions, torture, and murder under President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza regime.

"I am very excited that yesterday a motion was tabled for the American legislative arm to review the status of Kenya as a non-NATO ally because of the violation of human rights. I want to urge Kenyans here in the U.S. to get evidence from home and submit to the Senators here to use that in Congress as evidence," said Gachagua.

On Tuesday, US Senator James Risch proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which seeks to review Kenya's designation within 90 days. 

The review is set to assess Kenya's foreign and diplomatic policies such as its alignment with the United States and its engagements with China, Russia and Iran. 

It will also probe whether President Ruto's government utilised U.S. security and intelligence support to engage in human rights violations such as abductions, torture, renditions, and violence against civilians. 

If the amendment is approved in Congress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be required to conduct the review and submit the findings to the relevant Committees within 180 days. 

Despite the US proposal, President Ruto continued to heap praise on his government’s economic relationship with China after the nation agreed to lift all tariffs on key Kenyan agricultural exports such as tea, coffee and avocados. 

“It’s partly why I have a bit of a problem with some of our friends,” Ruto stated during a presidential private sector roundtable in Nairobi on Wednesday. “But it is what I must do for Kenya... It’s in the best interest of Kenya that we get into this market.”