HomeCountries & Areas…Kenya hide Kenya Subscribe View Fact Sheet Embassies & Consulates Bureau of African Affairs International Travel Information What you need to know before you go: visas, embassy & consulate locations, vaccinations, etc. International Travel Information: Learn More Current Travel Advisories Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Learn More U.S. Relationship These are excerpts from the U.S. Relations With Kenya U.S.-Kenya Relations U.S. Assistance to Kenya Bilateral Economic Relations U.S.-Kenya Relations The United States established diplomatic relations with Kenya in 1964, following its December 1963 independence from the United Kingdom. The United States and Kenya have enjoyed cordial relations and an enduring partnership since Kenya’s independence. Relations became closer after Kenya’s 2002 democratic transition and subsequent improvements in civil liberties. Longstanding mutual interests in the region and wide-ranging cooperation on economic The United States established diplomatic relations with Kenya in 1964, following its December 1963 independence from the United Kingdom. The United States and Kenya have enjoyed cordial relations and an enduring partnership since Kenya’s independence. Relations became closer after Kenya’s 2002 democratic transition and subsequent improvements in civil liberties. Longstanding mutual interests in the region and wide-ranging cooperation on economic and security issues underpin a strong bilateral relationship. Kenya has East Africa’s most dynamic economy and is a growing regional business and financial hub. The ongoing negotiations for the U.S.-Kenyan strategic trade and investment partnership is an important pillar of the U.S.-Kenya relationship. In 2018, the United States and Kenya formally elevated the relationship to a strategic partnership and established a corresponding bilateral strategic dialogue. The dialogue prioritizes five pillars of engagement: economic prosperity, trade, and investment; defense cooperation; democracy, governance, and civilian security; multilateral and regional issues; and public health cooperation. Collapse U.S.-Kenya Relations Read more about U.S.-Kenya Relations U.S. Assistance to Kenya As a developing partner in East Africa, Kenya is a recipient of significant U.S. foreign assistance from State and USAID. The United States seeks to advance its national security and economic prosperity interests by helping strengthen economic stability, security, health, education, environment, rule of law, and democratic governance in Kenya, as well as by countering violent extremism. Bilateral Economic Relations Kenya’s diversified economy has produced average annual GDP growth of five percent over the last decade, and an increasing number of U.S. companies have established their regional or Africa-wide headquarters in Nairobi. Kenya remains East Africa’s largest and most important business, financial, and transportation hub, with 80 percent of East Africa’s trade flowing through Mombasa Port. The United States is Kenya’s diversified economy has produced average annual GDP growth of five percent over the last decade, and an increasing number of U.S. companies have established their regional or Africa-wide headquarters in Nairobi. Kenya remains East Africa’s largest and most important business, financial, and transportation hub, with 80 percent of East Africa’s trade flowing through Mombasa Port. The United States is a top three destination for Kenya’s exports and the seventh largest source of its imports. Kenya enjoys preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act through 2025. U.S. imports from Kenya include apparel, coffee, and tea. More than 120,000 U.S. citizens visited the country in each of the last two years, making the United States the leading source of tourists to Kenya. Launched in 2018, Kenya Airways’ three times per week New York-Nairobi direct flights provide seamless connections. U.S. private sector interest in Kenya remains robust, with numerous U.S. companies engaged in Kenya, especially in the technology, consumer goods, banking and finance, and healthcare sectors. The United States’ existing trade and investment framework agreements with both the East African Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa include Kenya as a member state. Collapse Bilateral Economic Relations Read more about Bilateral Economic Relations Integrated Country Strategies The Integrated Country Strategy is the four-year strategy articulating U.S. priorities in a given country. The Chief of Mission leads the strategy. View Integrated Country Strategies Investment Climate Statements The Investment Climate Statements analyze a variety of economies that are or could be markets for U.S. businesses and provide information on the business climates. View Investment Climate Statements Fiscal Transparency Report The Fiscal Transparency Report analyzes government transparency and identifies needed changes to improve public spending accountability. View Fiscal Transparency Report Discover More 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report View all Department Reports and Publications COVID-19 Vaccine Deliveries Since August, 2021 the United States has donated 12,325,180 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of Kenya. This includes 9,386,910 Pfizer, 1,760,920 Moderna and 1,177,350 J&J doses. Of the 12,325,180 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX. The United States is committed to leading an international and coordinated effort to accelerate access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to meet global needs. The United States is working with other governments and partners including COVAX, Caricom, and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to protect communities from COVID-19 and apply lessons from this pandemic to enhance health security now and in the future. Learn more about our work Delivering Vaccines and on COVID-19 Recovery. More Vaccine Deliveries Highlights March 15, 2024 Assistant Secretary Witkowsky’s Travel to Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Kenya March 13, 2024 Secretary Blinken’s Call with President Ruto March 9, 2024 Special Envoy for Sudan Perriello Travels to Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates March 9, 2024 Secretary Blinken’s Call with Kenyan President Ruto March 1, 2024 Coordinator Richard’s Travel to Kenya VIEW ALL NEWS Tags Bureau of African Affairs Kenya