One Belt One Road: Kenya and China signed 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding, and the United States began to act.

China is a strategic partner.

In an interview with Chinese media, Kenyan President William Ruto said that his visit to China aimed to deepen the partnership between the two countries over more than sixty years. He emphasized that Kenya is an important partner of China's "Belt and Road" initiative, and believed that projects such as the Nairobi Expressway and the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway reflect the vitality of the Sino-Kenyan partnership.

He also pointed out that they would explore cooperation in transportation, technology, and green energy sectors. He expressed hope that Kenya could utilize its strategic location on the eastern coast of Africa to become an important country in China's "Belt and Road" initiative. He also hoped that China's cooperation could help his country eliminate poverty through agricultural modernization and strengthening trade with other economies in the Global South.

During this visit to China, Ruto posted on his X platform account, saying: "The strategic partnership between Kenya and China is enduring, people-oriented, and committed to achieving practical, concrete, effective, sustainable, and win-win results."

Kenya and China signed 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding worth 137 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately 1.6 billion US dollars), covering areas such as infrastructure, trade, education, agriculture, health, information and communication technology.

In the field of infrastructure, China agreed to fund the extension project of the railway line from Naivasha to Malaba in Uganda.

In addition, China will also fund the expansion project of the highway connecting Nairobi, Nakuru to the Ugandan city of Malaba, as well as the construction of a road connecting the Kiambu Highway and Elgeyo-Marakwet County, and build 15 inland roads.

In the field of trade, the relationship between the two countries has been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and China provided 100 million yuan (approximately 1.7 billion Kenyan shillings) in unconditional aid to support various projects in Kenya, especially in the health sector.

On the diplomatic front, this visit also provided room for negotiation between Kenya and its Western allies - these Western allies immediately rushed to Nairobi after Ruto's visit. The United States has invited Kenya's Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister Mudavadi to visit Washington and meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In addition, the EU launched the Kenya-EU Business Forum from May 12 to 14 to promote trade and investment, with senior European officials, numerous businesspeople, and enterprises attending the forum.

During this two-day forum, the European-Kenyan Chamber of Commerce was officially established. Meanwhile, the President of Finland also paid a historic visit to Kenya, which was his first visit to the country. During this visit, both sides signed several memorandums of understanding covering political consultations, supporting peace and mediation efforts, as well as cooperation in health, renewable energy, and information and communication technology sectors.

American doubts about allying with Kenya

Kenyan President William Ruto's visit to China was not welcomed by his American allies. Jim Risch, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed his dissatisfaction at a hearing held on May 13, 2025, which focused on "East Africa and the Horn of Africa: A Turning Point or a Breaking Point?"

Risch found it shocking that Ruto referred to the relationship between Kenya and China as a "strategic partnership," especially given that Kenya was recognized as a non-NATO ally of the United States less than a year ago. He said: "This is not just pro-China stance; it goes far beyond that. It is time to reassess our relationship with Nairobi, not only in terms of trade but also regarding the new world order."

However, while the U.S. Congress Foreign Relations Committee was discussing this matter, a Chinese investment delegation visited Nairobi under the accompaniment of Kenyan President Ruto to discuss expanding tea exports from Kenya to China.

On the other hand, the U.S. government, represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, quickly extended an urgent invitation for Kenyan Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister Mudavadi to visit Washington. Ultimately, Mudavadi met with Rubio on May 7, 2025.

According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of State, this meeting discussed ways to strengthen the U.S.-Kenyan partnership through support for common economic interests. Rubio emphasized Kenya's established role in promoting peace and stability in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as its leadership in the Multinational Security Assistance Force in Haiti, and the solid partnership built in counter-terrorism efforts.

On April 5, 2025, Senior Advisor to the U.S. President Musaad Blos visited Nairobi, which was an important stop on his African tour - Blos' visit covered multiple countries in Africa, including Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Blos stated during his meetings in Kenya: "The United States recognizes that Kenya can still play a key role in peace initiatives," adding: "President Trump fully supports the African peace process, which hinges on the swift and orderly advancement of the peace process."

Kenya joining the BRICS group will make it one of the most important countries in East Africa, which benefits both China and Kenya. Kenya's accession to the organization undoubtedly benefits itself because it can benefit from preferential loans and aid provided by member states and the BRICS Development Bank.

President Ruto's visit to China was a balancing move amid the turbulent relationship between Kenya and Western countries. Ruto sought critical financial and economic support from China, which aligns with broader geopolitical changes. On the other hand, China views Kenya as an important gateway to enhance its economic, diplomatic, and security influence in East Africa and as a strategic node in its "Belt and Road" initiative.

Source: aljazeera

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834046269249547/

Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views.