By : Lloyd Mahachi
Kenya and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership, with a focus on fast-tracking key development projects. President William Ruto met with top Chinese official Li Xi at State House in Nairobi, where they discussed cooperation in various sectors.
The two nations are collaborating on landmark projects, including the Mombasa-Nairobi railway, the Rironi-Mau Summit Road, and the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu and Malaba. These projects are expected to create jobs, especially for youth and women, aligning with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Kenya is also seeking China’s support to join the BRICS group of emerging national economies, which accounts for around 28% of the global economy. President Ruto expressed his appreciation for China’s support in priority projects, such as the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System, equipping technical colleges, and the Bosto Dam Water Project.
The partnership between Kenya and China spans various areas, including infrastructure development, economic cooperation, education and culture, health and agriculture, and renewable energy and e-mobility. China has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing agreements reached during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The two nations will work together to support programs and projects in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030. Kenya’s private sector is also set to benefit from strengthened trade ties with China, with China remaining Kenya’s primary import source, valued at Sh452.6 billion last year. The China Trade Week (CTW) held in Nairobi aimed to further enhance cooperation between the two nations’ private sectors.
The strengthened partnership between Kenya and China is expected to have a positive impact on the region, promoting economic growth, development, and cooperation. As the relationship continues to grow, Kenya and China are poised to achieve greater heights in their collaborative efforts.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi