In a recent visit to Beijing, China, President William Ruto signed 20-cooperation deals with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, that will see investors enter Kenya and establish manufacturing firms.

This is commendable.

Over the years, China has placed great importance on Kenya’s growing economy and has helped the country in various spheres, including infrastructure, manufacturing, telecommunication, trade and investment.

While China encourages more leading Chinese enterprises to invest and set up businesses in Kenya to facilitate Kenya’s endeavor to expand its competitive production capacity, there is need to make active efforts toward signing framework agreement on economic partnership for common development or free trade agreement.

According to President Ruto, the extension of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension will be constructed through Public Private Partnership (PPP) at a cost of Sh650billion.

China should support in driving the integrated development of infrastructure and industries through implementing major projects will not only help create employment opportunities but also increased development along the construction route.

Apart from that through the PPP, China has also pledged to construct and expand the Limuru-Mau Summit road into a dual carriage. President Ruto also secured a deal with the Asian nation for the construction of the Eldoret bypass and the deadly Nithi Bridge.

The cooperation between the two countries cements Kenya’s role as a key Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and regional logistics partner, while integrating East Africa’s transportation network and enhancing intra-regional trade.

President Jinping’s administration also pledged grants to improve hospital infrastructure in Kenya and committed to private sector investment in Pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.

Kenya’s health sector faces significant challenges including a shortage of healthcare workers, inadequate infrastructure and corruption.

China’s support will help improve the health sector.

It appears that President Jinping’s administration values Kenya’s role as a financial hub in East Africa and has pledged to support Chinese financial institutions in setting up branches in Kenya and explore new and diversified forms of financial cooperation with Kenya.

Kenya which is still a growing economy and democracy needs more support in the field of peace and security, personnel training, defense industry and trade, counterterrorism, and joint exercises and training.

President Ruto came back to Kenya having laid a foundation with his counterpart to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the law enforcement agencies, establish cooperation mechanisms, and work more closely on combating transnational crimes.

However, Kenya still has to deal with human trafficking, drugs smuggling, telecom fraud, cybercrime, illicit arms trade, wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, environmental crimes and money laundering among others.

In the more than 60 years of mutual cooperation and friendship, China-Kenya cooperation has promoted modernization in both countries and rhe 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit created a new blueprint for China-Africa unity and cooperation, has opened a new chapter of China and Africa to jointly advance modernization and inject new impetus into world peace and development.

In a world undergoing changes unseen in a century, important visions and proposals，including building a community with a shared future for mankind, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), are gaining influence and appeal.

— The writer is the Chairman of Political Journalists Association of Kenya (PJAK)