The champagne is on ice, but the mood is frosty. As the world’s elite gather in the Swiss Alps for the World Economic Forum (WEF), one name dominates every conversation: Donald Trump.

The US President, fresh from threatening to buy Greenland and slap tariffs on allies, is set to attend the summit, bringing his brand of "America First" disruption to the temple of globalism. For the gathered CEOs and heads of state, including a delegation from Kenya, the theme might be "Cooperation," but the reality is "Survival."

Kenya’s Pitch in the Cold

Kenya, often a darling of Davos, faces a tricky landscape. With the US turning inward and Europe distracted by war, securing investment for projects like the Silicon Savannah or green energy will require deft diplomacy. President Ruto’s team must navigate a world where the old rules of free trade are being rewritten by Trump’s tweets.

• The Fear: A trade war between the US and EU would crush demand for African exports. "When the giants sneeze, we catch the flu," notes a Nairobi-based trade analyst.
• The Opportunity: Disruption creates gaps. As the West bickers, Kenya has a chance to position itself as a neutral, stable hub for capital fleeing uncertainty—if it can fix its own tax regime first.

Davos 2026 will be remembered not for the speeches, but for the "awkward shuffling" as the world tries to figure out how to do business with a superpower that no longer believes in the rules.