Soy Member of Parliament (MP) David Kiplagat has defended President William Ruto‘s trip to China, saying it is not a money-begging mission.

Ruto is in China for a five-day visit, and he is expected to ink a number of deals with the Communist government under President Xi Jinping.

“China is a very good country to enter into deals with because they never interfere with the internal systems of a country. Not like Western countries.

“President Ruto is not going to China to beg for money. It is a bilateral relationship. Both Kenya and China benefit from the deals signed. We cannot survive without borrowing; even the United States has debts,” Kiplagat said during an interview with a local TV station on April 23, 2025.

Tana River County Senator Danson Mungatana said Kenya Kwanza is keen to ensure there is proper use of financial resources, including money from loan lenders.

“With small money, Tanzania did a better SGR than Kenya. We have learned from this past mistake, and we [Kenya Kwanza Gov’t] are righting the wrong,” Mungatana said in the same interview.

Uhuru defended

Murang’a County Senator Joe Nyutu defended former president Uhuru Kenyatta over accusations that there was misuse of public funds, saying projects undertaken then are there as witness of a job well done under the fourth president.

“When China gives you a loan, they also demand that they are the ones constructing the project. They also demand to supply the materials used in the project, as well as the workforce. Chinese projects are always shrouded in secrecy.

“It is true Uhuru Kenyatta borrowed heavily. But Uhuru can show you the Nairobi Expressway, Outering Road, Eldoret Bypass, Kondele Highway Interchange, and Kisumu Airport refurbishment—projects he implemented with the loans.

“It is very embarrassing for our leaders, not just in Kenya but Africa at large, to beg for money in foreign countries, but when you come back home, you live large. Dishing out money in churches and all that,” Nyutu argued.