In a move highlighting the evolving depth of Sino‑Kenyan relations, Homa Bay County in western Kenya has signed a major infrastructure agreement with China’s Taloya Technology Co. The deal, inked in Nairobi, stands as one of the first large-scale collaborations between a Chinese firm and a Kenyan county government, marking a significant step in Beijing’s engagement with Kenya’s devolved local authorities.
This ambitious project aims to uplift over one million residents through a broad suite of urban improvements. Key investments include a modern water treatment plant to bring clean, piped water to more than 250,000 households, installation of 4,000 solar‑powered streetlights to improve public safety and extend economic activity into the night, and the development of a new shopping mall and western Kenya’s first five‑star hotel, all designed to transform Homa Bay into a regional hub for commerce and tourism.
Governor Gladys Wanga hailed the signing as a “historic milestone” that actualises commitments made during President William Ruto’s April visit to Beijing. She emphasized that the initiative will “create jobs, stimulate local enterprises and elevate Homa Bay’s profile both nationally and internationally”.
The agreement reflects a broader trend: more Chinese companies are now forging links directly with Kenyan counties. For example, Murang’a County is in talks with Chinese partners to establish agro‑processing facilities including avocado, mango, tea, and coffee processing zones, attracted by tax incentives like ten‑year holidays and reduced corporate rates.
These sub‑national partnerships align with China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China‑Africa Cooperation, advancing a localised vision of high‑quality development through green energy, infrastructure development, water security, tourism, and local economic empowerment.
