US President Joe Biden on Thursday said in a joint statement with Kenyan President William Ruto that he intends to designate Kenya as a "major Non-NATO ally."
"Underscoring the elevation of our strategic relationship, President Biden announced his intent to designate Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally – the first such designation for a sub-Saharan African country," the joint statement said.
The designation is a symbol of the close relationship shared by the United States and Kenya, the statement said.
The countries welcome the increased cooperation on security and mutual priorities signaled by the designation, the statement added.
The decision also reflects the US’ respect for Kenya’s increasingly significant contributions to solving regional and global challenges, according to the statement.
Moreover, Biden said that he is working with Congress to make Kenya the first African country to receive funding under the CHIPS and Science Act.
"Today, I am proud to announce that I'm working with Congress to make Kenya the first country in Africa to receive funding under the CHIPS and Science Act," Biden said during a press conference with visiting Kenyan President William Ruto.
The CHIPS and Science Act is a 2022 is a law that aims to reinvigorate the US computer chip sector through billions of dollars in targeted government support.
Biden said the announcement is intended to boost investment opportunities between the two countries and also the Kenyan diaspora in the United States.
During their meeting, Biden and Ruto also discussed security, climate change, health, clean energy and debt affecting poor states in Africa.