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Kenyan President William Ruto and Chinese President Xi Jinping have ushered in a new phase in bilateral relations between their countries, following high-level talks in Beijing on Thursday that culminated in the signing of multiple strategic cooperation agreements. The leaders agreed to elevate the Kenya-China relationship into what they termed a “community with a shared future for the new era,” deepening their longstanding partnership across diverse sectors.
During the state visit, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of 24 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and 20 additional cooperation documents, signaling a broad and deepening alignment between the two nations. The deals span key areas including infrastructure, digital innovation, the blue economy, manufacturing, education, media, transport, agriculture, and climate action.
Among the most impactful announcements was the confirmation that Kenya has secured over Ksh.126 billion in financial support from China to accelerate President Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The funding includes Ksh.41.4 billion for manufacturing, Ksh.55.6 billion for agriculture, and Ksh.29.7 billion for other key areas, according to official documents.
President Xi, while addressing the meeting, described the elevation of the China-Kenya partnership as a strategic choice driven by the demands of the times and mutual respect. He emphasized China’s commitment to working with Kenya to create a model for the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future, and to lead efforts in strengthening Global South cooperation.
He also reiterated China’s support for Kenya’s sovereignty and development goals, and called for deeper collaboration in governance, sustainable trade, financial integration, and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China’s supersized market, Xi added, would remain open to high-quality Kenyan exports, and Chinese enterprises would be encouraged to invest in Kenya.
In response, President Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the One-China Policy, declaring that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. He praised China’s historic contributions to Kenya’s infrastructure development and disaster response, particularly highlighting the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, a flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project that has transformed transportation in Kenya.
Ruto expressed optimism that the new agreements would further align Kenya’s economic and social development goals with China’s, while also boosting cooperation in science, education, tourism, and media. He specifically thanked China for its steadfast role in supporting the rights and economic aspirations of developing countries amid global uncertainties.
Several of the newly signed MoUs focus on the blue economy, with agreements covering fisheries cooperation, aquatic animal export hygiene protocols, and support for sustainable marine investment in line with WTO subsidy guidelines. Others address transport and logistics, including a framework agreement to modernize Nairobi’s Intelligent Transport System and improve urban traffic junctions, as well as reforms in railway infrastructure and multimodal transport systems.
In the education sector, a landmark MoU on vocational training was signed to promote technical education, harmonize training standards, and integrate digital skills development into Kenya’s curriculum. In the realm of media and public diplomacy, Kenya inked a cooperation deal with Xinhua News Agency to facilitate news exchange and strengthen communication ties.
The leaders also emphasized their shared opposition to trade wars, with Xi warning that such conflicts harm global trade norms and equity. Both sides pledged to uphold multilateralism and international cooperation under the United Nations framework.
President Xi hosted a full ceremonial welcome for President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto at the Great Hall of the People, followed by a state banquet. The visit reinforced Kenya’s pivotal role in China’s vision for expanded engagement with Africa under the BRI, which was launched in 2013 to enhance connectivity and cooperation across Asia, Africa, and beyond.
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