President William Ruto’s recent trip to China has sparked debate in Washington, with U.S. lawmakers now questioning Kenya’s loyalty. At the heart of the issue is growing tension between the West and China and how African nations like Kenya are balancing both sides.

Last month, Ruto visited Beijing at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The visit focused on boosting trade, securing more Chinese investment in infrastructure, and discussing regional peace. But it was Ruto’s bold speech that raised alarms in the U.S.

In Beijing, he called Kenya and China “co-architects of a new world order” — a phrase that didn’t sit well with some American leaders.

U.S. Senator Jim Risch, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke out on Tuesday. “Just last month, President Ruto declared that Kenya, a major non-NATO ally, and China are ‘co-architects of a new world order.’ That’s not just alignment to China; it’s allegiance,” he said.

Senator Risch warned that depending on leaders who openly align with China could weaken U.S. strategy in Africa. He said it’s time to re-evaluate relationships with nations that are building strong ties with Beijing.

Just a few months earlier, the U.S. had named Kenya a major non-NATO ally, a title that gives Nairobi access to military equipment, training, and financial support. Kenya is a key partner in America’s counterterrorism efforts in East Africa, especially operations focused on Somalia.

Under both the Trump and Biden administrations, the U.S. also worked closely with Kenya on trade. Talks for a possible free trade deal have been revived, especially with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) set to expire in September.

Despite this, Senator Risch says the U.S. cannot afford to overlook close ties between African nations and China. “Efforts to engage African states must protect U.S. interests — and the American taxpayer’s pocket,” he said.

Risch also called for a shift in how America builds relationships on the continent — not around individual leaders, but by supporting strong institutions, private enterprise, and the youth.

Meanwhile, President Ruto defended his China visit by drawing comparisons to his earlier trip to Washington in 2024. He said Kenya isn’t choosing sides in the East-West rivalry, but instead “facing forward.”

"Kenya can serve as a bridge between East and West, North and South,” Ruto said, “in an era of deepening geopolitical tensions.”

China remains Kenya’s top trading partner and the leading source of imports. Kenya is also China’s biggest trade partner in East Africa — making the relationship too important for either side to ignore.

As the global balance of power continues to shift, Kenya’s balancing act between the U.S. and China may become even more complex. The real question now is whether Washington is ready to accept that Nairobi can be a friend to both without having to choose sides.