President William Ruto has landed in China for his state visit scheduled for April 22 to 26, 2025.

Ruto’s arrival was confirmed by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

“Kenya’s President William Ruto arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, beginning his state visit to China from April 22 to 26,” the Embassy stated.

Ruto says he will use the trip to deepen ties between Kenya and the Asian company.

“Arrived in Beijing, China, for the four-day State Visit at the invitation of His Excellency President Xi Jinping. We seek to deepen and broaden the historical, economic and cultural ties that have defined the cordial relations between Kenya and China over the years,” Ruto stated.

Ruto’s itinerary

 Ruto is expected to hold talks with President Xi Jinping on matters of economy, development, and global cooperation.

He will also officiate the Kenya-China Business Forum, bringing together over 100 companies from both countries to explore new opportunities in trade, investment, digital innovation, and industrial growth.

“As part of efforts to boost Kenya’s agricultural exports, he will inaugurate the Kenya Tea Holding Centre in Fujian Province. Situated in one of China’s key tea regions, the center will enhance the visibility and market access of Kenyan tea, support smallholder farmers, and strengthen Kenya’s trade footprint in Asia,” State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed explained.

Further, Ruto will deliver a keynote address at Peking University, where he will highlight Africa’s vision for indusive growth, leadership, and deeper South-South cooperation.

The head of state is also lined up to engage with the Chinese leadership on global and regional matters, advocating for enhanced multilateral cooperation. Discussions will also address peace and security in the Great Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region.

Further, Ruto will deliver a keynote address at Peking University, where he will highlight Africa’s vision for indusive growth, leadership, and deeper South-South cooperation.

In winding up his visit, the head of state is also lined up to engage with the Chinese leadership on global and regional matters, advocating for enhanced multilateral cooperation. Discussions will also address peace and security in the Great Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region.

In his trip, the president is pursuing a strategy of loan portfolio diversification, where the Renminbi (RMB) is increasingly seen as a viable alternative.

By securing RMB-denominated financing through institutions such as the China Eximbank, Ruto is looking to reduce Kenya’s exposure to dollar shocks while accessing concessional terms and longer repayment periods. 

People Daily Digital understands that Kenya is negotiating for loans tied to revenue-generating infrastructure, ensuring that borrowed funds yield economic returns through tolling, taxation, and industrial productivity.

Ruto is also expected to sign MoUs and operational frameworks in blue economy, scientific and technological cooperation, Belt and Road Initiative alignment, concessional loans, vocational education, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy governance, cybersecurity and railway sector cooperation.