Aasai

President William Ruto’s four-day state visit to China has already borne major fruits, with Kenya signing seven landmark investment agreements valued at over $823 million (Ksh106 billion). The deals, cutting across key sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, and hospitality, are set to inject thousands of jobs into the Kenyan economy and accelerate development across multiple counties.

 Among the headline projects is a $150 million Special Economic Zone in Kilifi County by China Wu Yi, expected to create 5,000 jobs and boost coastal manufacturing. Other agreements include textile and solar plants in Murang’a and Athi River, a steel expansion project in Machakos, and a hospitality investment in Nairobi. A smart traffic tech factory in Mombasa and a large poultry facility in Kajiado also feature prominently.

The most ambitious deal yet is a $400 million agro-industrial venture in Baringo County focused on aloe vera and vineyard farming, targeting transformation of arid lands. President Ruto has framed the China visit as part of his broader vision to position Kenya as a strategic investment hub linking East and West amid evolving global alliances.

Speaking in Beijing, Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to multilateral cooperation, saying the country is ready to serve as a global connector. The state visit, ending April 26, marks a strong diplomatic and economic pivot toward China—Kenya’s largest bilateral infrastructure partner and creditor.