U.S President Joe Biden is on Thursday, May 23 afternoon (local time) is expected to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, sources privy to the plans say.

The designation comes during Kenyan President William Ruto’s four-day state visit of the Superpower.

There are 18 countries that are currently designated as non-NATO allies, including Egypt, Israel, Brazil and the South Korea.

However, Kenya will become the first sub-Saharan African country to receive the largely symbolic title, a clear indication of Washington’s push to deepen relations with Nairobi.

Before the U.S President designates a nation as a major non-NATO ally, he or she shall notify the Congress in writing at least 30 days before.

What it means

After the designation, Kenya will now receive benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation.

According to the U.S State Department, the Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) designation is a powerful symbol of the close relationship the United States shares with those countries and demonstrates “our deep respect for the friendship” for the countries to which it is extended.

“While MNNA status provides military and economic privileges, it does not entail any security commitments to the designated country,” the department says.

Privileges resulting from MNNA designation 

• Eligible for loans of material, supplies, or equipment for cooperative research, development, testing, or evaluation purposes.
• Eligible as a location for U.S.-owned War Reserve Stockpiles to be placed on its territory outside of U.S. military facilities.
• Can enter into agreements with the United States for the cooperative furnishing of training on a bilateral or multilateral basis, if the financial arrangements are reciprocal and provide for reimbursement of all U.S. direct costs.
• Eligible, to the maximum extent feasible, for priority delivery of Excess Defense Articles  transferred under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act (if located on the southern or south-eastern flank of NATO).
• Eligible for consideration to purchase depleted uranium ammunition.