Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan embarked on a significant tour of Chinese-funded projects in Kenya over the weekend, which included visits to various enterprises operated by Chinese investors in the country. This marks her first such tour since taking on the role of Beijing’s top representative in Nairobi.
During her tour, Guo highlighted the crucial role Chinese-funded projects have played in shaping Kenya’s development landscape and driving economic progress. She emphasized that investments from Chinese overseas companies are also essential for sustainable growth.
Among the many projects she visited was the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which was financed and constructed with assistance from China. Guo stated that the SGR, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), exemplifies the pivotal role of Chinese investments in enhancing Kenya’s infrastructure for the benefit of its citizens, citing significant improvements in passenger and cargo transportation between Mombasa and Nairobi, as well as reductions in travel time and costs.
“It gives me great pleasure to take the SGR for the first time since my arrival as Ambassador. Known as Madaraka Express, the SGR carries over 5,800 passengers every day and provides more than 30,000 jobs. It is a landmark of Kenya and China cooperation,” she remarked.
Aboard the SGR, she travelled to Athi River, where she visited various enterprises operated by Chinese firms in the local industrial parks. During her visit, she met with representatives from these private enterprises to discuss their local operations, contributions, and future plans in Kenya.
Ambassador Guo encouraged the Chinese investors to play a greater role in promoting China-Kenya friendship, deepening practical cooperation across all sectors in Kenya, and actively fulfilling their social responsibilities to benefit the local community.
“Enterprise owners are encouraged to make more investment in Kenya to promote local economic development and create jobs,” she said.
On behalf of the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association, Chairman Gao Wei welcomed Ambassador Guo as she begins her tour of duty in Nairobi. He pledged that the association would continue to align its activities with Kenya’s economic ambitions while serving as a bridge of friendship between China and Kenya.
The diplomat then proceeded to the Konza Technopolis, where she gained insights into the project’s implementation and progress. While at Konza, a key flagship project of Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic development portfolio, she met with top executives, including Chief Executive Officer John Paul Okwiri and Chief Technology Officer Lucas John Omollo, to discuss the digital future of Konza as a world-class technology hub.
Konza Technopolis is envisioned as a leading smart city and special economic zone, attracting prominent companies, including Chinese investors, in sectors such as ICT, education, life sciences, and business process outsourcing (BPO). This initiative is anticipated to stimulate economic growth and diversify the Kenyan economy.
Ambassador Guo expressed optimism about the ongoing collaboration between Kenya and China, particularly in areas like digital transformation, which are expected to further enhance Kenya’s development trajectory.
