Ruto Tells Off Trump Over China Deal: “I Do What’s Best for Kenya”

It’s normally said you can’t serve two masters. But President William Ruto isn’t playing by anyone’s rules — especially not America’s.

Speaking at a business event in Nairobi, Ruto made it clear that Kenya’s friendship with China is here to stay. And he doesn’t care if the U.S. is uncomfortable. “Some of our friends are complaining that we are doing too much trade with China… but it is what I must do for Kenya,” Ruto said.

This came right after U.S. Senator Jim Risch asked the Trump administration to launch a full investigation into Kenya’s ties with China. He even mentioned the Belt and Road Initiative and claimed Ruto was too close to Beijing.

Ruto didn’t flinch. He told the crowd that China had just agreed to remove all tariffs on Kenyan tea, coffee, avocados, and other products. “That’s a major breakthrough for us,” he said. He also said Kenya still works with the U.S. under trade deals like AGOA, but when it comes to markets, China is offering more.

During his trip to China in April, Ruto sat down with President Xi Jinping and spoke about Kenya’s trade struggles. He explained that Kenya imports over Sh600 billion worth of goods from China but sells back only a tiny share. He said this gap is unfair and must be fixed.

Now, China has promised to help. Ruto said the two sides agreed on a new deal that will open up China’s market for Kenyan farmers. “We are finalizing the agreements, and in the next few months, we should be able to take advantage of that huge market,” he told business leaders.

But the U.S. is not happy. Senator Risch said Kenya is showing “allegiance” to China and even gave Congress a copy of Ruto’s speech from Peking University. “That is not just alignment. It’s allegiance,” Risch said. He warned that the U.S. should rethink its relationship with Kenya and other African countries close to Beijing.

Ruto is not backing down. He said Kenya will keep looking for good trade deals — not just with China, but also with countries like India, Turkey, and Canada. He said it’s his job to get better deals for Kenyan exporters.

While in China, Ruto also signed 20 agreements with President Xi. These included deals in farming, science, education, transport, and even military training. China will also help finish the Standard Gauge Railway to the Uganda border and expand a highway from Nairobi to Nakuru.

The two leaders also said they want to boost peace and economic ties between China and Africa. They even talked about starting direct flights between Beijing and Nairobi.

Ruto admitted some countries are not happy with his China friendship, but said his loyalty is to Kenya. “It’s what I must do for Kenya,” he repeated.

Not everything on the China trip went smoothly. Some Kenyan officials had trouble getting internet because of China’s strict firewalls. Others had funny problems with translation apps — like one that turned “kill hunger” into “torture hunger.”

Still, Ruto made his point. If China gives Kenya better business, that’s where he’ll go.

Featured image via Youtube Screengrab