In a move that could reshape parts of Kenya’s economy, President William Ruto has signed investment deals worth KSh126 billion with China. The agreements, finalised during his official visit to Beijing, span agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
The deals were announced following the Kenya-China Investor Roundtable on Tuesday, attended by senior officials and business leaders from both countries. It marks Ruto’s third visit to China since he took office in 2022.
Speaking from Beijing, President Ruto said the agreements represent “a new chapter” in Kenya’s partnership with China. “We are not just looking for aid—we are looking for partners who believe in the potential of our people and our economy,” he told reporters.
Seven deals in total were signed with Chinese firms, some of which are already operating in Kenya, while others will be entering the country for the first time.
Manufacturing Boost
In the manufacturing sector, four companies pledged over KSh41 billion.
China Wu Yi, a construction giant already active in Kenya, will inject $150 million (KSh19.4B) into expanding its footprint. Rongtai Steel is putting in $100 million (KSh12.9B). Two other firms—Chongqing Shangcheng Apparel and Anhui Jiubao Electronics—committed $20 million (KSh2.5B) and $50 million (KSh6.4B) respectively. Anhui Jiubao is a new entrant to the Kenyan market.
Farming and Food Security
The agricultural agreements are equally ambitious.
Shandong Jialejia Agriculture, a Chinese agribusiness company, plans to invest KSh3.8 billion in a large-scale poultry project in Kajiado County. The firm has already secured 100 acres of land, where it hopes to house half a million hens and create 500 jobs.
Meanwhile, the Zonken Group, which specialises in biotechnology and environmental farming, is putting KSh51.8 billion into aloe vera farming and processing in Baringo. They also plan to cultivate apples and grapes on an additional 72-acre site in the same region.
“This kind of project doesn’t just feed people—it transforms local economies,” said an official from Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.
Luxury and Leisure
In tourism, Hunan Conference Exhibition Group—a Chinese hotel chain with a global presence—will invest $230 million (KSh29.7B). The group plans to develop high-end hospitality infrastructure in Kenya, though the exact locations were not disclosed.
The firm is known for managing luxury hotels in Europe and Southeast Asia. “Kenya’s tourism potential is undeniable,” said a spokesperson for the group. “We’re here for the long run.”
Strengthening Ties
The visit comes at a time when Kenya is seeking to diversify its investment sources while continuing long-standing ties with China. Discussions between President Ruto and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping also covered regional security, South-South cooperation, and upcoming infrastructure partnerships.
China has been a major player in Kenyan infrastructure, funding projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway, the Nairobi Expressway, and the Lamu Port.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of such partnerships, particularly over debt obligations. The Kenyan government insists these new agreements are structured as direct investments, not loans.
“Our focus is on jobs, skills transfer, and trade—not dependency,” President Ruto said during the roundtable.
With the ink now dry, all eyes will be on how quickly the projects move from paper to the ground—and what they will mean for ordinary Kenyans.
