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President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to a balanced foreign policy amid escalating tensions between the United States and China. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ruto emphasized that Kenya is "neither facing East nor facing West; we're facing forward." This approach was evident in Ruto's recent state visit to the United States, the first by an African head of state in 16 years, where discussions with President Joe Biden covered democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and trade relations. Despite being Kenya's largest trading partner, China, Ruto emphasized that Kenya's policies are driven by national interests rather than external pressures. The balanced foreign policy is aimed at unlocking economic potential and driving development in key areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure, and technology.
