President William Ruto has landed in Beijing for a four-day state visit aimed at deepening Kenya’s ties with China, his third trip to the country since taking office.
Ruto previously participated in the Third Belt and Road Forum in October 2023 and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September 2024. This time, the Kenyan leader is visiting at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, as the two nations seek to strengthen cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and cultural exchange.
“Arrived in Beijing, China, for the four-day State Visit at the invitation of His Excellency President Xi Jinping. We seek to deepen and broaden the historical, economic, and cultural ties that have defined the cordial relations between Kenya and China over the years.”
President William Ruto
The timing of the visit is significant. With the U.S. recently imposing a 10% tariff on all Kenyan exports, the East African nation has ramped up efforts to diversify its trade partnerships. China, already Kenya’s largest trading partner, is emerging as a central pillar in that diversification strategy.
China Remains Kenya’s Top Trade Partner
Currently, China is the top destination for Kenyan exports and also supplies the bulk of Kenya’s imports, including electrical machinery, home appliances, and construction equipment. Meanwhile, Kenyan exports such as tea and avocados are gaining ground in Chinese markets.
At the core of discussions during Ruto’s visit is a possible deal on funding the long-anticipated extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba, near the Ugandan border. Talks may also cover a major highway project connecting Nairobi to the Mau Summit.
Data from early 2025 shows that bilateral trade between the two countries reached a record 16.13 billion yuan (approximately $2.24 billion) in the first quarter alone. China’s exports to Kenya grew by 11.8% year-on-year, while Kenyan exports to China rose by 13.2%, suggesting a healthy and balanced trade dynamic.
China has invested heavily in Kenya’s infrastructure over the last decade. Since 2013, Beijing has poured an estimated $5.6 billion into various Kenyan development projects. One of the flagship projects of this partnership is the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which links the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi. About 90% of the SGR’s initial phase was funded by Chinese loans.
The SGR has significantly reduced travel time and transportation costs for goods, boosting domestic trade and regional logistics. China has also played a pivotal role in building the Nairobi Expressway, sections of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, and other critical infrastructure.
To further support its infrastructure ambitions, Kenya recently secured a $310 million loan from China to resume 15 stalled road projects across more than ten counties. However, this deepening economic engagement also brings concerns over Kenya’s mounting debt to China, now estimated to exceed $8 billion.
In addition to trade and infrastructure, diplomatic ties are also being reinforced. Kenya is expected to finalize an agreement with China to build a modern Foreign Affairs Complex in Nairobi, a move seen as both symbolic and strategic.
President Ruto is expected to use the trip to solidify a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with China. The deal could unlock additional Chinese investments in Kenya and enhance collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
While Kenya seeks to strengthen its global partnerships in light of recent trade barriers, the visit underlines the importance of the China-Kenya alliance in shaping East Africa’s economic and diplomatic landscape. The outcome of the visit may determine the pace and scale of Kenya’s next phase of development.
