BEIJING — President William Ruto landed in China on Monday, opening a five-day visit aimed at securing Kenya’s place in a rapidly changing global economy. It’s his most ambitious foreign mission yet — and a potentially defining one.
Ruto is the first African head of state to visit Beijing since a fresh wave of US tariffs upended international trade. With Washington hardening its stance on protectionism, many countries are reassessing their alliances. Kenya sees opportunity in the reshuffle.
“This trip gives me a chance to speak directly with President Xi Jinping on matters that affect both our countries,” Ruto said shortly before departure. “I believe we can build something long-lasting.”
Railways, Roads, and Big Promises
Top of Ruto’s agenda is funding for long-stalled infrastructure projects. These include the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba and a major highway linking Rironi to the Ugandan border.
Both are part of China’s sweeping Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure push that’s as much about influence as it is about roads and ports.
But this time, the stakes feel different. Kenya isn’t only asking for money. It’s offering itself as a stable partner in a region where others have struggled to deliver.
“We want partners who will grow with us, not dictate to us,” said a senior official in Ruto’s delegation, who asked not to be named discussing the talks.
From Farms to Chinese Tables
Trade is also high on the list. Kenya wants better access to China’s enormous consumer market, particularly for its avocados and coffee. In 2023, Kenya exported 10,000 tonnes of avocado to China. Nairobi believes it can triple that with the right support.
Beijing, facing a souring relationship with Washington, may be more open to deals that would have once been seen as minor.
“By standing together, countries outside the Western bloc can form new economic coalitions,” said Professor Justin Yifu Lin, a former World Bank economist now at Peking University. “This is a chance for Kenya to shape its own trade terms.”
Green Energy and Local Jobs
Ruto is also expected to pitch Kenya as a hub for green manufacturing — especially electric vehicles (EVs) and solar technologies. Chinese firms, under pressure from US restrictions, are looking to move operations abroad. Kenya wants in.
“If China wants to sell electric cars in Africa, it should consider assembling them here,” said Professor Yao Tang of Peking University. “That means jobs, skills transfer, and technology exchange.”
Kenya already gets more than 90% of its electricity from renewable sources. Ruto’s team hopes to use that as leverage to attract EV battery factories and solar panel plants.
“We’re not just looking for investment. We’re looking for industries that create value locally,” said the Kenyan official.
Treading Carefully in a Divided World
But not everyone sees China as the answer.
Critics point to rising debt levels among African countries tied into BRI projects. Kenya itself owes Beijing more than $6 billion. Civil society groups have warned against adding more to the tab without transparency and public consultation.
Still, with Western aid plateauing and global lenders tightening their belts, options are narrowing.
“This visit is a delicate balancing act,” said Kinyuru Munuhe, a Nairobi-based foreign affairs analyst. “Ruto is trying to draw investment without appearing to pivot too sharply away from the West. That’s a tough needle to thread.”
China’s diplomats are aware of the sensitivities. Guo Haiyan, Beijing’s new ambassador in Nairobi, struck a conciliatory tone.
“I’m here to deepen our traditional friendship,” she said in a statement. “China respects Kenya’s sovereignty and development priorities.”
The Bigger Picture
As the visit unfolds, discussions are also expected around deeper cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). These talks could set the tone for China’s engagement with the continent over the next decade.
Professor Wang Yiwei of Renmin University said African countries should use this moment to diversify their trade partners.
“Don’t be overly dependent on any one country,” he said. “Work with whoever respects your goals and helps you grow.”
Whether Ruto walks away with firm deals or just goodwill, the visit is being watched closely in capitals across the continent — and in Washington.
For now, Ruto seems to be betting that Kenya can straddle both worlds. Whether that bet pays off will become clearer in the months ahead.
