US Cancels Vice President JD Vance’s Kenya Visit After G20 Withdrawal

The United States has cancelled Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Kenya after President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa.

Kenya had been preparing to host Vice President Vance later this month, following his participation in the Johannesburg summit scheduled for 22–23 November. The event was set to be historic as the first G20 meeting held on African soil. Vance’s Nairobi stop, planned immediately after the summit, was expected to focus on trade, security, and technology cooperation.

President Trump announced the US withdrawal on Truth Social, accusing South Africa of human rights violations against Afrikaner communities. “No US Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue,” he said, while confirming that Miami will host the 2026 G20. 

The decision effectively cancelled Vance’s onward trip to Kenya, according to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who noted that Nairobi was not the target of Washington’s criticism but was affected by the wider diplomatic fallout. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei said the cancellation was procedural, explaining that Vance’s Kenya visit had been linked to the Johannesburg meeting. 

“The two stops were connected,” he said, adding that the decision did not reflect any strain in bilateral relations.

The setback is viewed as symbolic rather than substantive. President William Ruto’s government has worked to deepen ties with Washington, positioning Kenya as a key partner in East Africa amid global realignments. 

Ruto’s state visit to the White House in May 2024, hosted by then-President Joe Biden, marked 60 years of diplomatic relations and resulted in agreements on investment, climate action, governance, and regional security. That visit elevated Kenya–US relations to a strategic partnership.

Vance’s visit, originally scheduled for 24–27 November, was meant to build on that progress. Talks were expected to address Kenya’s leadership in the multinational mission in Haiti, digital innovation, and counterterrorism cooperation. Although the meetings have been postponed, Kenyan officials expect them to be rescheduled once the G20 dispute settles. 

“We continue to value our partnership with the United States and are confident that our ongoing engagements will not be derailed,” a senior official said.

Mudavadi emphasised that Kenya’s relationship with the US now centres on innovation and enterprise rather than traditional aid. He also noted that embassy operations in Nairobi remain stable following the resignation of Ambassador Meg Whitman, despite the absence of a confirmed replacement.