President Ruto set for landmark state visit to China to cement infrastructure and strategic ties
President William Ruto is scheduled to embark on a five-day State Visit to China beginning Tuesday, April 22, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. This marks President Ruto’s first official visit to China since assuming office as Kenya’s fifth head of state and his second major State Visit after his trip to the United States in May last year.
The high-level diplomatic engagement is pivotal amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics and growing economic uncertainties. President Ruto aims to strengthen strategic ties with Beijing as part of a broader effort to shield Kenya from the adverse effects of recent global financial shocks, including tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
During his visit, President Ruto is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Xi, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji. The discussions will focus on deepening cooperation across a range of sectors, including trade, manufacturing, agriculture, climate change, education, tourism, security, and technology transfer.
A key highlight of the visit will be negotiations on financing major infrastructure projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Topping the agenda is the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba via Kisumu, a project seen as crucial for enhancing regional trade and connectivity across East Africa.
Additionally, the two leaders will discuss the proposed dualing of the Rironi–Mau Summit highway, a critical segment of the Rironi–Malaba corridor. The 170-kilometre highway project, which has already received Cabinet approval, is set to begin construction in June 2025 and is expected to significantly ease transport between Nairobi and the Western region.
The visit is anticipated to result in the signing of several bilateral agreements aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and development partnerships between the two countries. It also reinforces Kenya’s commitment to the BRI, China’s ambitious infrastructure initiative launched in 2013 to improve global trade routes and connectivity.
With this visit, President Ruto seeks to solidify Kenya’s position as a strategic partner to China in the region while ensuring the delivery of key development goals under his administration.