Mudavadi embarks on key diplomatic mission to China

Prime Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi addressing the media on 19, March, 2025. [ Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has embarked on a crucial diplomatic mission to Changsha, China.

Mudavadi will attend the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for 8th to 13th June.

The Changsha meeting marks a significant dialogue among ministerial coordinators under FOCAC, where leaders will assess progress and chart the course towards the next Heads of State Summit.

It is at these high-level sessions that decisions shaping development partnerships are made.

Speaking ahead of his departure, Dr Mudavadi underscored the importance of the visit.

"The ministers at the FOCAC meeting will take stock of the 2024 Summit of Heads of State and Government, and set the agenda for the next summit," he said.

In May, President William Ruto's visit to Beijing resulted in the signing of 22 Memoranda of Understanding between Kenya and China, paving the way for multibillion-shilling investments.

These include ambitious infrastructure projects such as the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Kisumu and the dualling of the Nairobi-Malaba highway-developments poised to transform the region's transport and trade landscape.

While in China, Dr Mudavadi will also attend the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, as well as the China (Chongqing)-Africa Investment and Trade Cooperation Forum. These platforms aim to boost trade volumes while promoting deeper cultural ties and people-to-people collaboration.

Following his engagements in China, Mudavadi is expected to travel to Helsinki, Finland, where he will represent President Ruto at the Kultaranta Talks in Naantali-a forum focused on peace and international cooperation.