Mukurweini MP: France has not chosen Kenya, it is its last option
By Kenneth Mwenda, May 11, 2026Kenyan leaders have raised concerns over the country’s growing ties with France following President William Ruto’s state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, during which the two governments signed 11 cooperation agreements covering infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and technology.
The debate has been shaped by strong remarks from Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, among others, all of whom have questioned the timing, intent, and implications of Kenya’s closer engagement with Paris.
Speaking during a morning television interview on Monday, May 11, 2026, the Mukurweini MP said France was not prioritising Kenya in its foreign policy but was instead turning to it as a fallback partner.
“Many people are saying that France has chosen Kenya, but I want to say that France has not chosen Kenya. Kenya is actually the only country left. They are their last option,” he said.
He argued that France has faced growing resistance in parts of West Africa, citing Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad as examples where French influence has declined sharply. He pointed to Niger’s 2021 protests, where French troops were forced to withdraw after public opposition.
“In 2021, Niger resisted and refused to have France in its country anymore. They had 1,500 troops there for many years,” he said.
Economic control
The MP went further, claiming France’s historical relationship with Africa was built on economic control rather than equal partnership. He said France operated through “assimilation” and economic dependence.
“France has basically been driving and feeding on resources from Africa. It is like a big beast that cannot run without African resources,” he said, adding that African countries had been drawn into arrangements that looked like friendship but worked in France’s favour.
He also claimed that public anger in some West African states had led to military takeovers and the removal of French-linked systems, arguing that France is now searching for new partners.
Maanzo, Kalonzo caution France
However, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo struck a more measured tone, warning Kenya not to rush into deep partnerships without assessing historical lessons from other African countries.
Speaking on May 11, 2026, shortly after the signing of the Kenya-France agreements, Maanzo said cooperation was welcome but must be carefully reviewed.
“The French are trying to befriend us, but we need to see what they have done to their former colonies,” he said. “The visit is welcome, but we know what they have done in West Africa.”
He argued that several former French colonies continue to face economic difficulties despite long-standing ties with Paris, and said Kenya should remain alert to long-term consequences.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka also weighed in, dismissing the Africa Forward Summit hosted in Nairobi as being influenced by divisions within Francophone nations rather than Kenya’s own merit.
“There is a lot of realignment in West Africa, and that is how they convinced Ruto to host the event in Kenya,” Kalonzo said.
He further warned against what he termed “chest-thumping” over Kenya’s diplomatic gains, saying the country still faced internal governance and human rights challenges.
“While Kenya is a nation under stress, there are a lot of injustices while we pretend we respect democracy,” he said, citing concerns over governance, justice, and public freedoms.
The Kenya-France agreements signed by President Ruto and President Macron include projects such as modernisation of the Nairobi Central Station–Embakasi rail line, expansion of port capacity, cooperation in nuclear energy, sustainable aviation fuel, digital transformation, and blue economy initiatives.
Government officials have described the deals as part of a wider effort to attract investment and modernise infrastructure.
The Africa Forward Summit, held alongside the visit, brought together heads of state, investors and policymakers to discuss Africa’s economic future, trade partnerships and industrial growth.