More than 20 Trade Agreements Signed in China
From president.go.ke and X/@WilliamRuto
President William Ruto’s State Visit to China has yielded more than 20 trade agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at improving various sectors of the economy.
President Ruto and his host, President Xi Jinping, witnessed the signing of the agreements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday.
The trade agreements aim to boost the road infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, and ICT sectors, among other things.
The meeting agreed on extending the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba (Phase III).
It also agreed to expand and dual the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit—Malaba highway, which connects Nairobi to western Kenya.
Additionally, the meeting agreed on the dualling of the Kiambu-Nothern Bypass, the Eldoret Bypass, and Nithi Bridge
Part of the project financing will come from the Government of China, while the rest will come from private investors under Public-Private Partnerships.
Additionally, the Chinese government and private investors are ready to finance another 15 roads in the country.
“I look forward to aligning Kenya’s political and socio-economic priorities, strengthening our comprehensive strategic partnership, and learning from China’s remarkable journey of transformation in governance, economic development, and global leadership,” President Ruto said during a press briefing with President Xi Jinping before the signing ceremony.
Reflecting the growing trade ties, the Kenya- China relations were elevated to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the New Era.”
President Ruto thanked the Chinese government for the 100 million rmb (KSh1.7 billion) recent grant to support various projects, especially in the health sector.
Further, he also thanked his hosts for their support for victims of flooding a year ago.
“Today’s meeting is not just between two leaders but two nations whose histories run deep, whose spirits run proud, and whose futures, I believe, are intertwined in friendship and shared progress,” President Ruto said.
The documents on bilateral cooperation between Kenya and China were signed by officials of the two countries in the presence of the presidents.
Earlier, President Xi officially welcomed President Ruto to China with a 21-gun salute at the grounds of the Great Hall of the People.
Later, he travelled to Fujou City in Fujian Province, south-eastern China, where he was received by city officials led by Zhou Zuyi, Secretary of the Chinese People’s Congress of the Fujian Provincial Committee.
“My visit here is to appreciate the technology that China and Fujian is famous for, and to leverage that technology for our benefit back home,” President Ruto explained.
The region is renowned globally for its electronics, advanced technology, textiles, and petrochemical industries.
Mr Zuyi noted that as trade between Kenya and China is on the rise, so is trade between Kenya and Fujian, which he said hit 2.4 billion mb in 2024 (KSh40.8 billion).
Further, he pointed out that some Fujian conglomerates, such as China Wu Yi Ltd, have played a significant role in Kenya’s infrastructure transformation over the years.
We will strengthen co-operation with China to confront our challenges and push for our shared success. In particular, we will upgrade our infrastructure to promote connectivity, hence facilitate trade in Kenya and within the region. Thank you, Your Excellency President Xi Jinping, for the reception at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China. — President William Ruto. from X/@WilliamRuto, April 24, 2025.
