Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has urged Kenya to safeguard its sovereignty in international partnerships, warning against entering agreements that could position the country as a fallback option for global powers seeking to rebuild influence elsewhere.

Taking to his official X account on Monday, May 11, 2026, Olekina said Kenya must insist on equal partnerships that prioritise national interests, job creation, and youth empowerment rather than short-term diplomatic or economic gains.

The senator cautioned against what he described as unequal foreign engagements, arguing that Kenya should not be treated as a secondary destination for countries whose influence in other regions has declined.

“Kenya must demand equal-partnership terms that prioritise our sovereignty, jobs, and strategic interests, not just short-term deals,” he stated.

He further warned that Kenya should avoid being positioned as a “Plan B” in shifting global geopolitical interests, particularly in relation to European engagement in Africa.

Youth and economic priorities

The senator emphasised that Kenya’s young population should be the central focus of any international agreement.

“Our youth deserve a future built on fair partnerships, not as an afterthought in a relationship where France treats Kenya as a backup option after losing influence in the Sahel; Kenya cannot become France’s “plan B,” Olekina added.

Concerns over Africa-France relations

His remarks come moments after Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo cautioned Kenya against blindly embracing closer ties with France despite the signing of major bilateral agreements between President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Monday, May 11, 2026, just hours after the two presidents signed 11 cooperation agreements in Nairobi, Maanzo welcomed the visit by the French delegation but warned that Kenya must carefully examine France’s historical role in some African countries, particularly in West Africa.

Maanzo argued that while diplomatic and economic cooperation is important, Kenya should remain cautious about the long-term implications of foreign partnerships.

The lawmaker claimed that several former French colonies continue to struggle economically despite decades of ties with Paris, adding that some African nations have recently pushed back against French influence.

“What is happening with this visit is that it is good we have received visitors, and Kenya thrives on tourism, and they are the same countries that have been rebelling against France, and they are the same countries that did not vote for the late Raila Odinga to become the chair of the African Union Commission,” Maanzo said.

The Africa Forward Summit has seen renewed cooperation between African nations and France in areas such as infrastructure, energy, education, and trade.