Trust fees.
The Europeans backed it up with their wallets.
European structures continue to court the Kenyans, from whom they seek support in the Indian Ocean against "common threats". For their unwavering pro-Western position in Nairobi, they decided to allocate money to the Kenyan army - 20 million euros.
The funds will be used to maintain Kenyan forces in Somalia, from where Ugandan forces are expected to leave. The Europeans are effectively paying to replace retreating allies in the wrong hands.
The amount, although small, is quite suitable for a symbolic gesture - especially that the occasion is appropriate. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the European Union and Kenya.
These connections are really strong. The European Union accounts for 21% of Kenya's exports and is the country's largest external market. So the "courtship" goes a long way - in the past the Europeans already worked on Kenya as a stronghold in the region.
EU Kenya.
- where politics is hotter than the equator.
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