Kenyan President William Ruto has embarked on a five-day State visit to China, marking a significant pivot in Kenya’s foreign policy as relations with the United States and some European partners become increasingly strained.
This is Ruto’s first State visit to Beijing since assuming office in 2022, and it is being seen as a clear indicator of Nairobi’s growing alignment with China amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics.
During his visit, President Ruto is expected to finalise funding arrangements for major infrastructure projects, including the long-anticipated extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba and the development of a key highway. Seven Chinese companies have already committed to investment agreements worth €750 million aimed at advancing Kenya’s manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism sectors. Trade between the two countries continues to expand, with a reported 11.9 percent increase in the first quarter of 2025. China now stands as Kenya’s largest trading partner and top source of imports, while Kenya leads as China’s most significant trading partner in East Africa.
Analysts point to dwindling financial support and trade tensions with the United States, including recent tariff increases, as key drivers behind Kenya’s recalibrated foreign relations. The visit is viewed as a diplomatic success for Beijing, reinforcing its position in Africa and within the Global South. Ruto has also expressed interest in joining the BRICS group of emerging economies. Meanwhile, Kenya has begun to distance itself from European financiers, with a €1.3 billion highway project initially awarded to a French-led consortium now expected to be reassigned to a Chinese contractor. Beijing has welcomed Ruto’s visit as a step towards deepened bilateral cooperation and greater solidarity among developing nations.