By Jackson Okata, an award-winning independent journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya, whose work has been published by CNN, Guardian, Reuters, China Dialogue, Openly, AllAfrica, Mongabay, Inter Press Service, Zenger News, and Al Jazeera English
Last November, Kenyan President William Ruto made public his country’s intention to join BRICS during a visit by Li Xi, the secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the ruling Communist Party of China. Specifically, Ruto made an appeal to China to support Kenya’s quest for membership in the group.
Ruto’s request reflects the desire of a nation keen on spurring economic growth and enhancing its regional and global influence amid rapidly changing modern geopolitics. Diplomacy experts in Nairobi argue that, just like many other Global South nations, by joining BRICS, Kenya seeks to benefit from a global economic model that resonates with the needs of developing nations.
Breaking free from Western control
John Mbiti, a researcher and policy analyst at the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) says that BRICS is a powerful and influential bloc both economically and geo-politically, and as such, “Kenya has every right to align herself with such a bloc.”
“There is no doubt that the world’s geo-politics are changing and any country including Kenya will tend to align with a side that guarantees, secures and respects her political, economic, regional and global interests,” Mbiti told RT.
Mbiti argues that one of Kenya’s core motivations for joining BRICS is to break free from the control of the West. “[The] majority of African states who are allies of the West have their economies under the mercy and control of western controlled financial institutions and many African nations want to break from such,” he said.
Mbiti notes that powerful nations within BRICS, like Russia and China, have a reputation for extending credit facilities to developing nations with more favorable terms compared to traditional lenders such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. BRICS has established the New Development Bank (NDB) with the aim of offering members financing solutions at flexible and favorable conditions.
“As a member of the BRICS, Kenya will definitely have access to a broad economic network with trade arrangements that are less constrained by the traditional economic dominance of Western powers,” the expert told RT.
Mbiti notes that Kenya would be a beneficiary of the immense investment capital and technological expertise that countries like China and Russia bring into the bloc, which he says are critical and key for Kenya’s goal of fast-tracking the modernization of its infrastructure.
Debt burden
Global governance expert Dr. Christopher Otieno argues that with a ballooning debt, currently standing at $81.5 billion, Kenya needs a repayment plan that will not hurt its economy.
“Kenya needs flexible financing models that do not place too much burden on her economy. BRICS is likely to offer alternative financing models which come with fewer restrictions,” said Otieno.
He added that joining BRICS “would give Kenya the much-needed breathing space and enable her not only to offset her huge debt but also support economic initiatives and social development projects without compromising her fiscal autonomy.”
Otieno argues that with Russia, China, and India as leading members of BRICS, Kenya would have a chance of deepening bilateral trade relationships with the three while reducing barriers to its exports, particularly in the agriculture sector.
“BRICS is a huge market and Kenya being a member of such a bloc will grant her preferential access for her exports of products such as tea, coffee, and horticultural goods,” he told RT.
The expert observes that larger, non-restrictive market access could boost Kenya’s trade balance, create jobs, and improve livelihoods for millions of Kenyans involved in agriculture.
Enhanced diplomatic standing
Dr. Faith Gichuhi, a diplomacy lecturer at the University of Nairobi, observes that beyond the immense economic benefits that would come with joining BRICS, Kenya also stands to elevate its diplomatic stature on the global stage.
She notes that with BRICS becoming a powerful defender of the Global South, Kenya could gain a vantage point for advancing its calls for reforms of international institutions, which President Ruto has been championing.
“As a member of BRICS, Kenya will get a free and supportive platform to advance African needs like climate action, conflict resolution, and fair-trade practices and this will raise her standing among nations,” said Gichuhi.
In the past, Ruto has acknowledged Kenya’s and China’s shared perspectives on several important global issues. They include the need to reform the UN Security Council to reflect current global dynamics, and resisting the abuse of instruments, policies, and actions ostensibly aimed at increasing freedom, democracy and human rights, in the pursuit of anarchy, subversion and undemocratic regime changes.
Gichuhi however, warns that Kenya’s admission into BRICS could attract hostile reactions from its Western partners and could draw scrutiny from Western allies who might fear losing their influence over Kenya to Russia and China.
Initially, BRICS comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Egypt and Ethiopia became two more African members last year. Algeria, Nigeria, Uganda received BRICS partner country status. Other new member nations, after last year’s expansion, include United Arab Emirates and Iran.
According to estimates by the US Global Investors Group, current BRICS member countries account for over 36% of global GDP. Despite being a key US ally, Kenya has sought to strengthen ties with China and Russia, whose growing presence in Africa has sparked concerns in the West.
In May 2023, Ruto said his government would deepen its relations with Moscow in order to increase trade volumes. He made the commitment when he hosted visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the capital.
“There is no doubt that with the ever-changing geo-politics, leading African economies will seek to shift from the West and face the East, and many will want to associate with the BRICS,” concluded Otieno.
