Biden made the announcement at a White House news conference with Kenyan President William Ruto, who was being feted with the first state visit by an African leader to Washington since 2008. “I am proud to announce that we are elevating our relationship with Kenya to a Strategic Partnership,” the US president said. Biden said the decision was based on Kenya’s cooperation in combating terrorism, including against the Islamic State group and al-Shabab, as well as its support for Ukraine and its planned deployment of a security mission to Haiti. Kenya’s special status includes economic and military privileges, including possible provision of defense equipment and joint training, and comes as China’s influence in Africa has been growing. It marks the first such designation for a sub-Saharan African nation as a major non-NATO ally. With the announcement, Kenya joins 17 other countries, including Argentina, Brazil and Qatar, which was designated last March. Others with the status include Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The announcement comes as Kenya prepares to lead a multinational security support force to Haiti to quell gang violence and restore order. The mission is authorized by a UN Security Council resolution, is financially backed by the United States and will operate under the authority of Haiti’s National Police. Kenya’s designation as a special US ally is also part of Biden’s strategy to strengthen ties with key African leaders and counter China’s influence in Africa. The US president hosted dozens of African leaders in Washington in 2021 for a summit at which he pledged investment in the continent and a trip to Africa that has yet to take place. Read Also: Biden and Trump win US primaries in Kentucky (Portuguese version)