Kenya has secured major deals in trade, infrastructure and strategic partnership following President William Ruto's trip to China.
In a statement on Thursday, April 24, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said Ruto held high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, ushering in what he termed as the Kenya-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
According to Mohamed, the discussions focused on key priorities including trade expansion, investment promotion and development cooperation.
"In a significant step towards deepening bilateral ties, Kenya-China relations were elevated to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the New Era' and marked by the signing of 20 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and other frameworks of cooperation covering sectors such as infrastructure, trade, education, digital economy, science and technology, people to people exchanges and cultural cooperation," the statement read.
Mohamed noted that among the highlights of the agreements are major infrastructure projects, including the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Naivasha (Phase II) and from Naivasha to Malaba (Phase III).
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He added that China also pledged support for road development projects such as the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit-Malaba Highway and the Kiambu-Northern Bypass.
"During the extensive engagement between the leaders, China agreed to work with Kenya on implementing strategic connectivity development projects. These include investments in the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Naivasha (PhaseII) and from Naivasha to Malaba (Phase III), as well as the expansion and dualing of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit-Malaba highway, the Kiambu-Northern Bypass, the Eldoret Bypass and the construction of Nithi Bridge," the statement added.
According to Mohamed, the two nations also agreed to collaborate on the rollout of Kenya’s National Digital Superhighway Programme.
Additionally, China pledged support for Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by offering grants to improve hospital infrastructure and investing in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
"Kenya and China also committed to further collaboration in the rollout of Kenya's National Digital Superhighway Programme, which involves the expansion of the national fibre optic network. Additionally, both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in road and water infrastructure development.
"In support of Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, China pledged grants to improve hospital infrastructure and committed to private sector investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing," the statement continued.
The bilateral meeting also saw the signing of a framework agreement, which is expected to expand Kenyan exports to the Chinese market.
"A key highlight of the bilateral meeting was the signing of a Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive trade deal. This agreement aims to expand market access for Kenyan exports such as tea, coffee, avocado, macadamia, and other agricultural products," the statement further reads.
