Since President William Ruto took office, Kenya has opened itself up to partnerships with Western countries, positioning itself as the most stable and accessible country in the region.
Kenya is hosting the Africa Forward 2026 summit alongside France in what analysts describe as a major shift in relations between Paris and Anglophone Africa. The summit, attended by African leaders and international business executives, highlights growing economic, military, and diplomatic cooperation between Kenya and France under Presidents William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron.
The partnership comes at a time when France is losing influence in several former colonies in West Africa following rising anti-French sentiment and military withdrawals across the Sahel region. Kenya, viewed as one of East Africa’s most stable economies and a strategic gateway to the region, has emerged as an important new ally for Paris.
A key focus of the summit is defence and security cooperation. In April 2026, both countries signed a defence agreement covering maritime security, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism operations, peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance. The agreement followed the deployment of hundreds of French troops to Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa for joint military exercises with the Kenya Defence Forces.
French officials say the partnership is intended to strengthen regional security and support Kenya’s fight against armed groups such as al-Shabab. However, the agreement has sparked intense debate among Kenyan politicians, civil society groups, and critics who fear the country could become overly dependent on foreign powers.
Opponents argue that parts of the agreement appear to favour France by granting French personnel diplomatic-style protections and limiting the role of Kenyan courts in handling offences involving French troops. Concerns have also grown over reports that France may seek a more permanent military presence in Kenya, although Kenyan officials have denied claims that French forces will remain indefinitely.
The controversy reflects broader fears about neo-colonialism and foreign influence in Africa. France has long faced accusations of maintaining unequal political and economic relationships with African nations, especially in West Africa. President Macron himself attracted criticism after comments suggesting some Sahel countries owed France gratitude for military interventions in the region.
Despite the criticism, Kenyan officials insist the partnership offers major economic and strategic benefits. France is currently one of Kenya’s largest foreign investors, with more than 140 French companies operating in the country and investments exceeding two billion dollars over the past decade. The relationship has created thousands of jobs and expanded cooperation in infrastructure, technology, energy, and trade.
Supporters of the partnership argue that Kenya is using its position to diversify international alliances and strengthen its role as a regional economic and diplomatic hub. Analysts say France also views Kenya as a crucial entry point into East Africa at a time of increasing competition among global powers for influence on the continent.
However, critics warn that the success of the partnership will depend on transparency, fairness, and whether ordinary Kenyans see real benefits from the growing relationship.
With Kenya already facing domestic protests over economic hardship and government policies, any move toward a permanent foreign military presence could intensify political tensions in the country.
As the summit continues, both Kenya and France are presenting the partnership as a model for future cooperation between Africa and Europe. Yet the debate surrounding sovereignty, security, and economic balance suggests the relationship will remain closely scrutinised both within Kenya and across the African continent.
