Mudavadi meets China's Wang Yi to formalise bilateral deals

Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the southern Chinese city of Changsha on June 10, 2025. [Brian Ngugi, Standard]

Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the southern Chinese city of Changsha on Tuesday, for bilateral discussions aimed at formalizing a series of significant economic and strategic agreements earlier inked in April.

Mudavadi's visit follows President William Ruto's state visit to China in April, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined broad areas of cooperation.

The current discussions being held in Changsha aim to expedite the formalisation of previously agreed commitments, both sides said during the meeting.

Mudavadi's visit is a crucial follow-up to President William Ruto's state visit to China in April, during which President Ruto and Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined a broad spectrum of cooperation areas.

The ongoing bilateral meetings are specifically focused on accelerating and formalising those previously agreed-upon commitments.

Kenya will be pushing for the speedy implementation of the earlier agreed-upon deals between President Ruto and his Chinese counterpart.

During President Ruto's April trip, both leaders discussed elevating Kenya-China relations. Key agreements reached then, now set for formalisation, include plans for the extension of Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Kisumu and the dualling of the Nairobi-Malaba road from Limuru.

The two nations had also outlined plans for direct air links between Nairobi and Beijing, a move expected to significantly boost trade, tourism, and people-to-people connections.

Mudavadi thanked China for elevating Kenya's engagement to a strategic trade partnership during the April talks.

He said Kenya is seeking the speedy implementation of the earlier agreed-upon talks.

An earlier joint statement from Ruto's visit had indicated that "the two sides will actively consider launching direct flights between their capitals in line with market principles," potentially involving airlines like Kenya Airways, Air China, and Xiamen Airlines.

Beyond infrastructure, the deals encompass enhanced healthcare collaboration, with China pledging support for its enterprises to partner with Kenya in developing local healthcare industries and addressing medicine and vaccine shortages.

Security cooperation is also on the agenda, with an impending memorandum of understanding on law enforcement set to establish mechanisms to combat transnational crimes.

On the financial front, China recognised Kenya's role as a key East African financial hub.

Beijing has expressed readiness to support its financial institutions in setting up branches in Kenya and explore new and diversified forms of financial cooperation, including the potential for "panda bonds."

Furthermore, the agreements aim to boost industrial development and trade, with China encouraging its leading enterprises to invest in Kenya and increase imports of Kenyan produce to promote more balanced bilateral trade.

President Ruto had earlier pushed for a comprehensive free trade agreement to provide long-term trade certainty between the nations.

Mudavadi thanked China for elevating its engagement with Kenya to a strategic trade partnership.

The high-level discussions are unfolding concurrently with the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, underscoring the expanding ties between Nairobi and Beijing.

Mudavadi is also participating in the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the implementation of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) follow-up actions, which provides a broader framework for continental collaboration.

The formalization of these agreements, through Mudavadi's meeting with Wang Yi and other high-level engagements, highlights Kenya's commitment to consolidating its strategic alignment with China, analysts said.

The Expo itself serves as a vital platform for African businesses and governments to explore new opportunities, exchange information, and forge partnerships across the African continent, Chinese backers said.