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The Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan was hosted to a meeting by Former Prime Minister and party leader of Orange Democratic Movement Raila Odinga on Monday.
Also present during their talks were Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and Economic Planning John Mbadi, along with other officials.
The ODM leader confirmed that they discussed ways to enhance relations between the two countries even as he highlighted benefits emerging from ties with the East Asian economic giant.
“China and Kenya have historic mutual and cordial relations. We collaborate on trade, industry, technology, and infrastructure. Thank you for this visit,” said Raila as he lauded the Chinese envoy for the courtesy call.
The ambassador described the talks with the ODM leader as fruitful and expressed confidence that the ties binding the two nations will only move from strength to strength.
“We exchanged views on carrying forward friendly traditions, strengthening practical cooperation, and promoting the continued steady growth of the China-Kenya relations,” she after the meeting at Raila’s Capitol Hill offices.
Beyond Kenya, the two are said to have discussed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a flagship project of African Union’s Agenda 2063, and how China can help the continent in realization of this dream.
AfCFTA is aimed at accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s trading position in the global market by strengthening Africa’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations.
Two days after their meeting, Guo separately met the Treasury CS and his office where they announced a Ksh 1.8 billion (RMB 100 million) grant agreement from Beijing to upgrade Kenyan hospitals.
“The grant, a significant boost to Kenya’s healthcare sector, will fund the upgrading of key hospitals across the country. Beneficiary institutions include Londiani Referral Hospital, Baringo County Referral Hospital, Kilifi Hospital, Misikhu Hospital, Bildad Kagia Hospital, and Kaimosi Farmers Training College,” Mbadi stated
Mbadi expressed gratitude to the Chinese Government for its ongoing support, noting that the partnership underscores the strong bilateral ties between Kenya and China.
“We applaud China for the tangible and practical contribution to social and productive sectors of our economy through this grant,” Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei weighed in.
