- President Ruto and President Xi Jinping vow to strengthen China-Africa solidarity to promote global peace and inclusive economic growth.
- Ruto visited major institutions including CATL, praising China’s green tech advancements and poverty reduction model.
- China to support completion of SGR to Uganda border and upgrade of Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
- Kenya secures Ksh.126B for manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism under BETA agenda.
- New Chinese firms set to invest in poultry farming, steel manufacturing, and luxury tourism infrastructure.
President William Ruto and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping jointly declared their intention to steer global affairs towards greater stability and cooperation, particularly among developing nations. The leaders emphasized that stronger ties between Africa and China would safeguard shared interests and support a more inclusive global economy—especially critical in today’s uncertain global environment.
Ruto Applauds China’s Innovations and Social Progress
Wrapping up his state visit, President Ruto toured the headquarters of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) in Ningde City—China’s giant in electric vehicle battery manufacturing. He praised the firm for its leadership in green innovation and sustainable development.
He also paid a visit to the Ningde Poverty Alleviation Exhibition Hall, where he commended the transformative impact of early efforts led by President Xi, which turned the once struggling region into a modern development benchmark.
Ruto also explored the “Vision 3820” plan—Xi’s blueprint for Fuzhou’s rise through organized social democracy. The showcase resonated with Kenya’s goals under its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Kenya to Gain from Belt and Road’s Next Phase
As part of Kenya’s long-standing collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative, China has committed to support the completion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to the Uganda border. Also in the pipeline is the expansion of the Nairobi–Nakuru highway, which will be undertaken through a public-private partnership.
Though the exact monetary value of these new deals was not revealed, previous estimates place their worth in the multi-billion shilling range.
Over Ksh.126 Billion in Deals Signed for Key Sectors
Kenya secured over Ksh.126 billion to drive the BETA agenda, with heavy investment going into manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
Manufacturing Sector
Approximately Ksh.41.4 billion ($320M) will boost local manufacturing:
- China Wu Yi – $150M (Ksh.19.4B)
- Rongtai Steel Co. Ltd – $100M (Ksh.12.9B)
- Chongqing Shangcheng Apparel/Pengfeng Investment – $20M (Ksh.2.5B)
- Anhui Jiubao Electronic Tech (Kenya Smart Transportation Park) – $50M (Ksh.6.4B)
Agriculture Sector
Around Ksh.55.6 billion ($430M) will go into agricultural ventures:
- Shandong Jialejia Agriculture – $30M (Ksh.3.8B) for a 100-acre chicken farm in Kajiado, expected to create 500 jobs.
- Zonken Group – $400M (Ksh.51.8B) for aloe vera farming and processing in Baringo, plus grape and apple farming on 72 acres.
Tourism Sector
New players from China will inject Ksh.29.7 billion ($230M) into Kenya’s hospitality and tourism: Hunan Conference Exhibition Group, Huatian Hotel Management Co.
These firms plan to build tourism infrastructure and luxury accommodations.
Other Areas of Cooperation
The visit also yielded agreements across several key sectors:
Science and technology,Water resource development, Vocational training and education, Smart transport systems, E-commerce infrastructure
This renewed wave of partnerships marks a new chapter in China-Kenya ties, as both nations position themselves as champions of global south cooperation and sustainable development.
