Kenya is set to officially sign an agreement with China to construct a state-of-the-art Foreign Affairs Complex in Nairobi, signaling a strengthening of bilateral relations between the two nations.
- Kenya will be signing an agreement with China to construct a Foreign Affairs Complex in Nairobi
- The cost of the project has not been disclosed, but a feasibility study is underway
- China’s commitment to the project is part of its initiative to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations with Kenya
The deal, which will be finalized during President William Ruto’s ongoing state visit to Beijing, aims to enhance Kenya’s diplomatic infrastructure and bolster strategic cooperation with China.
President William Ruto is in China for a five-day state visit to strengthen bilateral ties, boost trade and investment, and advance infrastructure cooperation.
He will headline the Kenya-China Business Forum, attended by over 100 companies, to explore new trade opportunities and attract Chinese investment.
In an interview in Beijing, Kenyan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei highlighted that the agreement is part of several high-level deals set to be signed during the visit.
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While the project’s cost has not been disclosed, Sing’oei confirmed that a feasibility study is currently underway.
“This is a conversation we will have before the groundbreaking,” Sing’oei noted. “At this point, the project is undergoing a feasibility study.“
The Ministry, currently located on Harambee Avenue, has outgrown its space as its responsibilities continue to expand.
The new headquarters will provide a modern, spacious facility to accommodate the growing demands of Kenya’s global diplomatic presence.
While the exact location remains undisclosed, the Foreign Affairs Complex is one of several multi-billion-shilling agreements expected to be finalized during Ruto’s visit, reflecting significant investments that promise to drive future growth and development.
Chinese commitment in Kenya
China’s commitment to supporting the Foreign Affairs Complex project is part of its broader initiative to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations with Kenya.
The project, which will be partly financed by China through grants began to take shape in 2021 during the visit of the Chinese Ambassador to Nairobi, Mr Zhou Pingjian.
In 2024, a Chinese technical team visited Nairobi to begin design work on the new facility, which will serve as Kenya’s flagship Foreign Affairs Complex.
The team, composed of engineers and architects, initiated preliminary assessments and consultations with Kenyan officials to align the project with both diplomatic and infrastructural needs.
This milestone shows the enduring partnership between the two countries, which has seen significant cooperation in trade, infrastructure development, and regional affairs.
In 2023, Kenya’s trade with China topped $6.8 billion, cementing China’s status as the country’s largest bilateral creditor and key trading partner.
Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife also highlights that China is Kenya’s sixth-largest source of tourists, and the second-largest from Asia.
According to the African Policy Institute, China has been instrumental in building key infrastructure, including about 115 km of road bypasses in Nairobi, the 27-km Nairobi Expressway, the 453-km Lamu-Garissa Road, and 300 km of roads in informal settlements.
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Among the numerous Chinese-backed projects in Kenya are the Kipevu Oil Terminal in Mombasa Port, Lamu Port, the Liwatoni Floating Bridge, and the Thwake Dam, all of which have played a crucial role in enhancing Kenya’s infrastructure and economic growth.
