Kenya, China Sign 20 Agreements, Elevate Bilateral Ties

Kenyan President William Ruto's five-day state visit to Beijing marked a significant deepening of China-Kenya relations, with both countries announcing an upgrade of their bilateral ties to a 'new level.' Ruto and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed 20 agreements spanning infrastructure, vocational training, e-commerce, water management, and advanced transport, solidifying Kenya's role as a key participant in China's Belt and Road Initiative. China committed to funding the extension of Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway toward the Ugandan border and supporting other major infrastructure projects, with seven Chinese firms pledging substantial new investments. The partnership underscores Kenya’s strategic pivot away from Western financiers amid strained US and European relations, with Ruto criticizing protectionist policies and calling for reform of the international order. Both sides emphasized the importance of mutual respect, development, and people-to-people exchanges, including cooperation on poverty alleviation and women's empowerment. This visit reflects a broader trend of African nations seeking closer ties with China as a preferred partner for investment and political alignment.