By Michelle Ndaga
Kenya and the United States have reaffirmed their strong national and sub national ties, with California America’s wealthiest state emerging as a key partner in driving innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity. Hosting a high-level delegation of California state secretaries and private sector leaders led by State Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin, President William Ruto noted that the partnership builds on California’s leadership in technology and climate innovation, and Kenya’s vibrant “Silicon Savannah,” powered by a young, digitally skilled workforce.
Kenya’s green credentials have made it an attractive ally in climate action, with a 93% renewable energy grid and ambitious targets of 100% renewable energy by 2030 and 100 GW capacity by 2040. These align closely with California’s clean energy goals. The collaboration spans clean energy systems, smart agriculture, artificial intelligence, trade, research, and clean transportation, including the upcoming Africa Clean Transportation Centre of Excellence in Nairobi.
The relationship has been steadily evolving, with early groundwork laid during the California Africa Climate and Economic Forum in San Francisco in April 2025, and earlier meetings between Secretary Omishakin and Kenya’s embassy in Washington, D.C., in 2024. These engagements have paved the way for joint initiatives on sustainable urban transport, road safety, and decarbonization. Also present during the Nairobi meeting was U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Carla Benini, underscoring the broader U.S.Kenya strategic partnership.
