China and Kenya have agreed to take their relationship to a new level following a state visit by Kenyan President William Ruto to Beijing from April 22nd to 26th, 2025. The visit, which comes amid global uncertainty, saw the two countries sign 20 key agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation across several sectors.
President Ruto, on his third visit to China since taking office in 2022, held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in areas such as technology, education, water management, e-commerce, transport, and infrastructure. In a joint statement, the two presidents reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and fair global trade. They spoke against unilateral sanctions and economic protectionism, calling instead for reforms that protect the interests of developing countries.
Xi told Ruto that “China attaches great importance to China-Kenya relations” and that Beijing would work with Kenya to develop the “unity and co-operation of the global south”.
H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council, and H.E. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, met with President William Ruto. The two sides emphasized the enduring friendship between their nations, rooted in over six decades of diplomatic relations. They acknowledged the mutual benefits derived from their collaboration, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has seen significant infrastructure developments in Kenya, including the modernization of the Mombasa-Nairobi railway.
A major focus of the discussions was the expansion of Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). President Ruto pushed for further Chinese investment to extend the railway from Naivasha to the Ugandan border, a move he said would boost trade and regional integration. The original stretch of the SGR, from Mombasa to Nairobi, was financed by China and has already transformed cargo movement in the region.
The two parties talked about continuing to firmly support each other in defending core interests, deepen and expand exchanges and cooperation across the board, and work together to build a China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era.
President Ruto thanked China for its longstanding support in infrastructure development, and expressed Kenya’s desire to expand cooperation into new areas including youth engagement and green energy.
After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
