How US state-level pacts seek to unlock US-Kenya trade

US state-level partnerships could open new doors for Kenyan farmers and SMEs seeking to tap the vast American market. [Courtesy]

For a small business somewhere in rural Rift Valley or Western, the idea that your products can find a footing in the United States (US) would sound abstract.

Even with the knowledge that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) offers duty-free, quota-free access to the US market, providing a range of 7,000 product lines, how do you even start?

For context, while Kenya is a 55-million-person market, the US holds about 350 million people. While Kenya is known out there as just one country, which means one market - despite the existence of the devolution system - the US is made up of 50 States and more than 10 territories.

And these States and territories are not homogeneous. They host different cultures, have proximity to different nationalities, experience different weather patterns and, more so, are governed by different laws.

It is for this reason that the National Association for the State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), under the leadership of Chief Executive Ted McKinney, landed in Kenya with a delegation of agriculture directors from specific States.

During an interview with The Standard, McKinney, who is a former US Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, said Kenya and Morocco are the countries that the US States have selected for expedition for possible partnerships in the agricultural space.

He said it became apparent some years ago that American States have a specific relationship with Kenya, in a bid to grow trade.

“We know federal governments - yours and ours - have a good relationship, but we saw the opportunity for the States’ directors and secretaries of agriculture across the 50 States and territories to also have a relationship,” he said.

He said there is a lot that Kenya can get from individual States, considering that each of them is good at something different in agriculture. “We did not come to tell you what we want you to do. We want to come and say, here we are, here is our expertise, if we can help, we would love to,” he said.

Director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture Doug Miyamoto pointed out that the more specific relationship between Kenya and US states will enable a better exchange.

“We State representatives probably know a producer, farmer or rancher that we can put you on and show you exactly how we do it,” he said.

He said every State is variable, good in different commodities, growing different crops, livestock operations, each being better at certain aspects of agriculture than the other.

“We are trying to make those available to your country so that if you have any specific question, we can match you with the right representative,” he said.

He gave an example of Wyoming, saying it is big in livestock, particularly beef cattle.

“We can see an emerging market and opportunity for trade, for livestock coming out of Kenya, as well as products coming out of Wyoming. And hoping we could grow that relationship whether that is livestock genetics or meat or dairy products,” he said.

Kenya exported goods valued at Sh79.7 billion to the US in 2025 as it imported Sh135.9 billion worth of commodities in the same period, according to the 2026 Economic Survey as published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

The report states that exports to the American market recorded a decline of 4.4 per cent to Sh90.1 billion in 2025.

It adds that the US, which accounts for the bulk of this region’s earnings, declined by 10.3 per cent to Sh79.7 billion, resulting from decreased domestic exports of titanium ores and concentrates, articles of apparel and clothing accessories, as well as re-exports of kerosene-type jet fuel.

“The US remained the principal source of imports within the region, although with a decline of 12.7 per cent to Sh135.9 billion in 2025. The reduction was largely associated with decreased imports of helicopters,” the report states.

Considering that Kenya’s administration is under a devolution system, with agriculture being devolved, McKinney pointed out how specific relationships with US States would benefit the country’s agricultural extension services, a sub-sector county has been struggling with.

“All our members have very extensive extension systems coming from our land-grant universities. There is one in every state, sometimes two,” he said.

Right now, however, the US would be willing to help with the impending El Niño and dry spell that has affected maize production.

He said one solution would be to find non-genetically modified corn (maize) from neighbours. “But we are hearing that even they are tight on supply,” he said.

The other solution would be the purchase of soy meal, or distillers dried grains with solubles, commonly known as DDGs. These are said to be nutrient-rich protein fit for animal consumption. They are a residue of ethanol production.

“These are denatured so there is no GMO to them, and this might be very useful for your livestock industry - poultry, pork and dairy - and that frees up your corn to go to human consumption,” said McKinney.