President Ruto visited China last month at President Xi Jinping’s invitation to strengthen ties in trade, infrastructure, and peace.

The trip happened amid the ongoing U.S.-China trade war and heightened East-West geopolitical tensions. During his Beijing speech, Ruto called Kenya and China “co-architects of a new world order,” sparking American concern.

U.S. lawmakers questioned Kenya’s loyalty, especially after being named a major non-NATO ally by Washington last year.

Senator Jim Risch criticized Ruto’s remarks, calling them a show of allegiance, not just partnership, to Beijing.

“Relying on leaders who embrace China openly is an error,” Risch told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.

He said the U.S. must reassess its relationships with nations forging deep ties with China.

Ruto’s Washington trip in 2024 had strengthened Kenya-U.S. ties, marking a high point in bilateral cooperation.

Under Trump’s first term, the U.S. began talks with Kenya on a historic free trade agreement.

These talks resumed in Trump’s second term, as AGOA nears expiry and tariffs reshape global trade flows.

Senator Risch warned America’s Africa policy must protect its interests and taxpayer money, not reward conflicting alliances.

“Engagement must be strategic. Many governments lack legitimacy. We must consider if the cost is worth it,” he added.

Still, he acknowledged the U.S. could build meaningful ties in Africa with careful and realistic approaches.

“We must focus on strong institutions, private investment, and youth empowerment not personal alliances with leaders,” Risch stated.

China is Kenya’s largest trade partner and top import source; Kenya is China’s main partner in East Africa.

Since 2022, Ruto has maintained that Kenya is “facing forward,” not taking sides in global power struggles.

He compared his China visit to the U.S. trip, positioning Kenya as a bridge between global powers.

“In this tense era, Kenya can link East and West, North and South,” Ruto said during the visit.