Possible Links to Ruto’s China Trip and SGR Talks
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has canceled his much-anticipated diplomatic tour to Africa, which was scheduled to include stops in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, WAJ has learned from informed sources.
Rubio, who has recently taken on an elevated role in shaping U.S. foreign policy in Africa, was expected to engage both Kenya and Ethiopia on matters of regional security and economic cooperation, including discussions related to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and counterterrorism partnerships in the Horn of Africa.
However, according to WAJ sources, the abrupt cancellation may be tied—at least in part—to Kenyan President William Ruto’s ongoing five-day state visit to China. The visit, which includes high-level infrastructure and finance talks, has stirred fresh speculation about Kenya’s shifting geopolitical alignments.
Ruto’s delegation is said to be negotiating renewed support for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension and other Belt and Road Initiative projects, which have drawn close scrutiny from Western capitals, particularly Washington.
Some analysts believe Rubio’s visit was intended to reaffirm U.S. influence and offer economic alternatives, but the optics of Kenya leaning eastward during such a sensitive moment could have led to a strategic rethink.
Although no official reason has been provided for Rubio’s change of plans, regional analyst told WAJ, “The timing of Ruto’s Beijing visit cannot be ignored. There’s likely more happening behind the scenes.”
Despite the setback, the same source hinted that a high-level Kenyan visit to Washington could be in the works to reset or recalibrate U.S.-Kenya relations.
As of now, both Nairobi and Washington have remained silent on the cancellation. Meanwhile, observers are watching closely to see how the interplay between China’s deepening economic ties and U.S. strategic interests will unfold in East Africa.