In a significant step toward bolstering bilateral relations, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir met in Nairobi on Tuesday to reaffirm their commitment to deepening cooperation in infrastructure and transport. The discussions centered on advancing practical collaboration in critical sectors, particularly road and railway development, to align with Kenya’s national priorities.

Ambassador Guo expressed gratitude for Kenya’s acknowledgment of China’s longstanding support, noting China’s pivotal role in financing and constructing transformative projects like the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway and the Nairobi Expressway. “I was honored to meet with Hon. Davis Chirchir. I’m grateful for Kenya’s recognition of China’s contributions to infrastructure,” Guo stated.

The meeting built on the outcomes of President William Ruto’s April 2025 state visit to China, the first by an African leader since the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit. During the visit, Presidents Ruto and Xi Jinping elevated Kenya-China relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signing 20 agreements covering infrastructure, trade, education, and cultural exchange. Guo described the visit as a “great success,” emphasizing its role in strengthening ties.

Both nations agreed to align FOCAC’s Beijing Action Plan (2025-27) with Kenya’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda and Vision 2030, leveraging China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Key projects discussed include the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway and the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway, aimed at enhancing Kenya’s role as a regional transport hub.

The talks reflect a broader commitment to mutual benefit, with China pledging support for Kenya’s agricultural exports and infrastructure financing. This partnership underscores Kenya’s strategic importance in East Africa and China’s focus on fostering sustainable development across the continent.