The decision follows a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump, who ordered all American officials to skip the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, due to the ongoing government shutdown and what he described as human rights concerns in the host country.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi released a statement confirming the development on Monday, November 10.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi released a statement confirming the development on Monday, November 10.
According to him, the cancellation was communicated directly from Washington through official diplomatic channels.
“The Government of Kenya, through the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, has been informed by the United States Government of the cancellation of the planned visit to Kenya by the Vice President, His Excellency JD Vance, which was scheduled to take place later this month,” Mudavadi said.
He clarified that Vance’s trip to Kenya was tied to his initial plan to lead the U.S. delegation to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg before flying to Nairobi.
“The Government of Kenya, through the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, has been informed by the United States Government of the cancellation of the planned visit to Kenya by the Vice President, His Excellency JD Vance, which was scheduled to take place later this month,” Mudavadi said.
He clarified that Vance’s trip to Kenya was tied to his initial plan to lead the U.S. delegation to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg before flying to Nairobi.
However, since Trump ordered all top officials to pull out of the summit, the Kenya leg of Vance’s African tour could no longer proceed.
President Donald Trump, who is serving his second term after winning the 2024 U.S. elections, made the announcement on his Truth Social account, criticizing South Africa’s government.
He accused Pretoria of allowing what he called “human rights atrocities” against white farmers — a claim that has sparked mixed reactions across the globe.
“It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa,” Trump wrote.
“It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa,” Trump wrote.
“The country continues to oppress its white minority and refuses to protect them from violence. We will not participate in such hypocrisy.”
His comments came just as the G20 Summit organizers confirmed that world leaders, including Kenya’s President William Ruto, were preparing to attend the November 22–23 meeting.
His comments came just as the G20 Summit organizers confirmed that world leaders, including Kenya’s President William Ruto, were preparing to attend the November 22–23 meeting.
The summit is expected to focus on global economic recovery, energy transition, and debt management among developing countries.
Despite the sudden cancellation, Mudavadi reassured Kenyans that relations between Nairobi and Washington remain strong.
Despite the sudden cancellation, Mudavadi reassured Kenyans that relations between Nairobi and Washington remain strong.
He emphasized that the two nations continue to cooperate closely on several fronts, including trade, education, health, and security.
“Kenya values its longstanding and strategic partnership with the United States, which continues to span key areas of mutual interest,” Mudavadi stated.
“Kenya values its longstanding and strategic partnership with the United States, which continues to span key areas of mutual interest,” Mudavadi stated.
“This development will not affect the strong and enduring ties between our two nations.”
Mudavadi further noted that both countries are currently implementing multiple bilateral programs. These include joint counter-terrorism efforts, education scholarships, health partnerships such as the PEPFAR initiative, and growing U.S. investment in Kenya’s renewable energy sector.
JD Vance’s trip would have marked the first official visit to Kenya by a top-ranking U.S. government official since Trump returned to the White House.
Mudavadi further noted that both countries are currently implementing multiple bilateral programs. These include joint counter-terrorism efforts, education scholarships, health partnerships such as the PEPFAR initiative, and growing U.S. investment in Kenya’s renewable energy sector.
JD Vance’s trip would have marked the first official visit to Kenya by a top-ranking U.S. government official since Trump returned to the White House.
His visit was expected to boost Kenya–U.S. relations, especially in trade and investment, as well as reaffirm Washington’s support for regional peace efforts in the Horn of Africa.
Diplomatic sources had earlier indicated that Vance planned to meet President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, to discuss U.S. investments in Kenya’s manufacturing sector and security collaboration in Somalia and the DRC. The meeting would also have covered the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is due for renewal.
The trip was first reported by Africa Intelligence on October 25, which revealed that the U.S. Vice President would arrive in Nairobi after attending the G20 meeting in Johannesburg. However, the itinerary was never officially confirmed by the White House before the cancellation.
The Bigger Picture
The U.S. government shutdown, which began in late October, has disrupted multiple federal operations and forced several foreign trips to be called off.
Diplomatic sources had earlier indicated that Vance planned to meet President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, to discuss U.S. investments in Kenya’s manufacturing sector and security collaboration in Somalia and the DRC. The meeting would also have covered the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is due for renewal.
The trip was first reported by Africa Intelligence on October 25, which revealed that the U.S. Vice President would arrive in Nairobi after attending the G20 meeting in Johannesburg. However, the itinerary was never officially confirmed by the White House before the cancellation.
The Bigger Picture
The U.S. government shutdown, which began in late October, has disrupted multiple federal operations and forced several foreign trips to be called off.
Observers say the decision to cancel Vance’s visit is part of wider cost-cutting and political measures within the Trump administration.
Political analysts believe the move may temporarily slow diplomatic momentum in Africa, where countries like Kenya play a central role in Washington’s regional strategy.
Political analysts believe the move may temporarily slow diplomatic momentum in Africa, where countries like Kenya play a central role in Washington’s regional strategy.
However, many also note that Kenya’s relationship with the United States is built on decades of cooperation and is unlikely to be seriously affected by one cancelled trip.
“The U.S. and Kenya have deep ties beyond politics,” said a Nairobi-based foreign policy expert.
“The U.S. and Kenya have deep ties beyond politics,” said a Nairobi-based foreign policy expert.
“While the visit would have been symbolic, the long-term relationship remains stable and focused on trade, counter-terrorism, and democratic governance.”
Kenya is now expected to continue engaging the U.S. through its embassy in Washington, D.C., and other diplomatic platforms.
Kenya is now expected to continue engaging the U.S. through its embassy in Washington, D.C., and other diplomatic platforms.
Officials in both capitals are said to be working on rescheduling future high-level meetings once the political situation in the United States stabilizes.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its commitment to maintaining strong relations with all international partners.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its commitment to maintaining strong relations with all international partners.
“Kenya stands ready to continue working with the United States and all friendly nations towards shared prosperity and global peace,” Mudavadi concluded.
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