The deal with Microsoft was seen as a symbol of strengthening relations between Kenya and the US, with Washington keen on countering Chinese influence in East Africa. Its stalling is a reminder to temper expectations regarding MoUs and Letters of Intent signed at international summits and bilateral forums, as they can often be hurriedly announced to showcase perceived political wins without adequate consideration for their actual feasibility.

The reality is that Kenya, like many other African countries, isn’t capable of taking full advantage of economic opportunities presented by the boom in AI and data centers due to the inadequacy of basic underlying infrastructure.

Kenya’s data center market is projected to triple to $805 million by 2031, according to a new report, with the country’s renewable energy mix among the factors boosting its attractiveness. But existing requirements to power local industries, businesses, and homes mean that larger data centers will be a strain on the national grid regardless of the revenue they may generate.

It’s also important to consider the context in which Ruto made his comments. With the president eyeing reelection next year, delivering big-ticket infrastructure projects is seen as one way of shoring up popularity after youth-led protests against his government in 2024 and 2025.