Kenyan President William Ruto’s first state visit to China starting today signals a strategic shift, according to observers, as Western support for Nairobi wanes and Beijing seeks to build a Global South alliance to counter Trump’s tariffs.
During the five-day trip, Ruto is expected to seek funding for two key infrastructure projects – the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba on the border with Uganda, vital for regional trade, and a major highway project connecting the Rift Valley to western Kenya.
He has visited twice before for multilateral events since taking office in September 2022 – the first time for the October 2023 Belt and Road Forum and again last September to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.
Observers said the state visit marked a departure from Ruto’s initial West-leaning stance and a contrast to the anti-China rhetoric of his presidential bid.
While the Ruto administration lost no time in boosting engagement with the United States and Europe after assuming power, its apparent failure to secure funding, coupled with the challenges of the US tariff war, were behind the recent overtures to China, they said.
With traditional ally the United States imposing trade tariffs and pulling aid, Ruto is seeking new markets, project financing and investors, according to Adhere Cavince, a Nairobi-based international relations researcher.
He said China appeared to be the best bet for Kenya on all three counts at the moment, while for Beijing Ruto’s visit was a “symbolic” victory.
Given that Kenya, particularly under Ruto, was largely perceived as aligned with the US, “Beijing’s hosting of Ruto amid escalating geopolitical and trade tensions with the US is a win for China in terms of optics,” Cavince said.
“As China thinks of escaping the increasing trade animosity with Washington, Nairobi is not just an option – it is also a strong gateway to the rest of Africa.”
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Ruto’s visit will “contribute to deepening China’s relations with Kenya” and promote “solidarity and cooperation” within the Global South.
President Xi Jinping will host a welcome ceremony and a welcome banquet for Ruto and the two leaders will hold talks, ministry spokesman Lin Jian said last Thursday.
