By Dorothy Musyoka
Kenya and China continue to enjoy strong and cordial diplomatic relations that have fostered significant transformations in Kenya’s infrastructure and facilitated deeper people-to-people exchanges.
According to President Ruto who is currently in Beijing, the bilateral cooperation between the two countries has seen the development of key infrastructure projects that have enhanced Kenya’s position as a key transport hub in Eastern Africa and beyond.
“Through our bilateral cooperation with China, the Mombasa-Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway, the Nairobi Expressway and many rural roads have been built, opening up the country and making Kenya a key transport hub not just in Eastern Africa but the continent,” stated President Ruto.
In a high-level meeting held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, Kenya’s representative engaged in fruitful talks with President Xi Jinping.
The discussions reaffirmed the strong partnership between Kenya and China and underscored a shared commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation.
During the meeting, President Xi Jinping announced a significant breakthrough for Kenya’s agricultural sector.
He agreed to grant Kenyan agricultural produce access to the expansive Chinese market, a move expected to boost Kenya’s export revenues and create new opportunities for Kenyan farmers and agribusinesses.
This access will enable Kenya to diversify its exports and reduce its trade deficit with China, further enhancing economic ties.
“During the meeting, President Xi agreed to give Kenya’s agricultural produce access to the Chinese market,” President Ruto said.
Additionally, both leaders discussed several strategic regional infrastructure projects to bolster connectivity and economic integration.
Key among them was the proposed expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which has already played a transformative role in enhancing trade and movement of goods between Mombasa and Naivasha.
The discussions also covered the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway, a project that will further improve the transport network and facilitate seamless movement across the region.
As the FOCAC summit progresses, Kenya and China look forward to deepening cooperation across various sectors, leveraging their partnership to achieve shared development goals and prosperity for their people.