BEIJING, CHINA — Kenya has solidified its economic partnership with China, securing agreements worth over Ksh.126 billion during President William Ruto’s official visit to the Asian economic powerhouse.
Documents obtained by Vivid Voice News reveal that the substantial financial commitments are earmarked to support key projects aligned with the Kenyan government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Specifically, the agreements will channel significant investments into vital sectors: Ksh.41.4 billion ($0.32B) for manufacturing, Ksh.55.6 billion ($0.43B) for agriculture, and Ksh.29.7 billion ($0.23B) for tourism.
In the manufacturing sector, several agreements were signed with Chinese entities. Construction and engineering giant China Wu Yi secured a $150 million (Ksh.19.4B) deal, while Rongtai Steel Co. Limited received $100 million (Ksh.12.9B).
Chongqing Shangcheng Apparel Group Co., Ltd/Pengfeng Investment Ltd will benefit from a $20 million (Ksh.2.5B) investment, and the Kenya Smart Transportation Industry Park/Anhui Jiubao Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. secured $50 million (Ksh.6.4B).
Notably, Anhui Jiubao Electronic Technology is a new entrant to the Kenyan investment landscape, while the other listed companies already have existing operations in the country.
The agricultural sector also received a significant boost, with a $30 million (Ksh.3.8B) deal awarded to Shandong Jialejia Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Technology Co., Ltd., another first-time investor in Kenya. The company plans to establish a 100-acre chicken farm in Kajiado County, aiming for a stock of 500,000 hens and the potential creation of 500 jobs.
Furthermore, the Zonken Group, comprising Biotech Corporation Ltd & Zonken Environmental Technology Ltd, secured a substantial $400 million (Ksh.51.8B) investment. The group, which specializes in large-scale aloe cultivation and processing with an established export base in Baringo County, intends to expand its operations on a 300-acre piece of land. Additionally, they have plans for a 72-acre apple and grape farming project, also located in Baringo.
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The tourism sector also witnessed a significant investment, with a $230 million (Ksh.29.7B) deal signed with Hunan Conference Exhibition Group/Huatian Hotel Management Co., marking their entry as first-time investors in Kenya. This investor is a prominent Chinese hotel operator with a substantial portfolio of hotels across Europe and Southeast Asia.
President Ruto’s current visit marks his third to China since assuming office in 2022, following previous engagements at the Third Road and Belt Forum in October 2023 and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September 2024.
Discussions between President Ruto and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, are expected to focus on China’s ongoing investments in Kenya’s crucial infrastructure projects, the strengthening of South-South cooperation, regional peace and security, and other pressing global issues.
China has been instrumental in the development of several of Kenya’s flagship infrastructure projects, including the Standard Gauge Railway, the Nairobi Expressway, the Lamu Port, and the Kipevu Oil Terminal, underscoring the significance of the bilateral partnership.
