Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has 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.

France’s influence in 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.

He also noted that some of the visiting African leaders attending the Africa Forward Summit come from countries that have recently experienced tensions with France.

“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 French are trying to befriend us, but we need to see what they have done to their former colonies — they have impoverished them. The visit is welcome, but we know what they have done in West Africa.”

Rail transport concerns

Maanzo also used the opportunity to criticise successive Kenyan governments for failing to properly maintain the country’s railway infrastructure.

According to him, Kenya should have developed and modernised its own rail systems long ago instead of relying heavily on foreign-supported initiatives.

“We should have been able to maintain our own rail. That rail has existed since colonial days. It is only that the governments of Kenya, since independence, have let this railway line rot,” he said.

The senator pointed out that plans had previously existed to establish an expanded commuter rail network linking Nairobi to surrounding areas such as Kitengela and Ngong.

“With the new railway gauge, there was a plan that there would be city transport from Kitengela, Ngong, and the Nairobi surroundings. We should have that railway, and we should not wait for another government to come and plan for us,” he said.

New Kenya-France agreements

Maanzo’s remarks came shortly after Ruto and Macron witnessed the signing of 11 agreements aimed at strengthening diplomatic, infrastructural, technological, and economic cooperation between Kenya and France.

Among the key projects announced is the modernisation of the Nairobi Central Station to the Embakasi Rail Line 5 project, which is expected to improve urban transport connectivity within the capital.

The agreements also cover areas including agriculture, digital transformation, sustainable aviation fuel production, meteorological services, blue economy initiatives, nuclear energy cooperation, and expansion of container terminal capacity at Kenyan ports.

Africa Forward Summit

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit currently taking place in Nairobi.

The summit has brought together heads of state, investors, diplomats, and policymakers to discuss Africa’s economic transformation, trade partnerships, climate action, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure development.

Kenyan officials have described the summit as an opportunity for Africa to negotiate stronger and more balanced global partnerships.