Ruto Secures Sh107bn in Chinese investments as Kenya strikes major deals on state visit
President Ruto also witnessed the signing of strategic partnership agreements between KenInvest and three major Chinese institutions.
President William Ruto started his official visit to China with a major economic breakthrough as seven Chinese firms signed investment agreements worth Sh107 billion in various sectors of Kenya’s economy.
The deals, signed on Tuesday during a Kenya-China business forum in Beijing, mark a major step in attracting foreign capital to stimulate job creation and economic development back home.
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The business forum was hosted through a collaboration between Kenya’s Ministry of Trade, the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), and the Chinese government.
The agreements cut across key growth areas such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and transport technology.
Among the most notable investments is a Sh19.5 billion commitment by China Wuyi to establish a special economic zone (SEZ) in Kikambala, Kilifi County.
The 191-acre zone is set to benefit from government incentives aimed at promoting both public and private SEZs. The project is expected to create more than 5,000 jobs for Kenyan youth.
In Kajiado County, Penfeng Investment Limited and Shangcheng Apparel Group will jointly inject Sh2.6 billion to build storage and production facilities for the textile, garment and solar energy sectors.
Meanwhile, Rongtai Steel Limited is targeting the growing demand from Kenya’s affordable housing initiative with a Sh19.5 billion investment in a steel production factory in Lukenya, which will add 700 new jobs.
Large-scale egg farm
Agribusiness was also a focal point of the signed agreements. Shandong Jialejia Agriculture will invest Sh3.9 billion in setting up a large-scale egg farm housing 500,000 hens in Kajiado.
The venture seeks to take advantage of Kenya’s zero-rated import policy for hatchery eggs, further enhancing domestic supply.
Zonken Group, a Chinese biotechnology company, unveiled plans to inject Sh41.6 billion into a 300-acre aloe vera processing plant in Baringo.
Additionally, the group will spend another Sh10.4 billion on a 72-acre vineyard aimed at increasing Kenya’s grape exports.
The tourism sector is set for a Sh39 billion boost following Huatian Hotel Group’s decision to acquire and lease hotels in Nairobi.
The move is in response to Kenya’s visa-free entry policy, which has led to a rise in international visitors.
Smart traffic equipment
In the area of transport technology, two firms, Kenya Smart Transportation Industry Park and Anhui Jiubao Electronic Technology, will set up a factory in Murang’a at Sh6.5 billion. The facility will manufacture smart traffic equipment, including lights and control systems.
This project alone is expected to create more than 5,000 jobs and support Kenya’s goal of modernising its infrastructure.
President Ruto also witnessed the signing of strategic partnership agreements between KenInvest and three major Chinese institutions.
These include the China-Africa Development Fund, which has invested $10 billion across Africa; Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, which seeks to deepen e-commerce ties; and Duofu International Holdings Group, which is expected to encourage more Chinese investors to explore Kenyan opportunities.
Speaking at the forum, President Ruto assured the investors of Kenya’s commitment to providing a favourable business environment.
He cited a 10-year tax holiday, legal protections, simplified profit repatriation processes and a stable regulatory framework as some of the country’s main incentives.
“Kenya is open for business,” Ruto declared, noting that more than 500 Chinese firms are already operating in the country.
Investor conference
He also extended an invitation to global investors to attend the 2026 Investor Conference in Nairobi.
Emphasising Kenya’s strategic location and highly skilled workforce, Ruto told the attendees, “You have every reason to invest here.”
According to the President, the signed agreements represent a major leap forward in the country’s ambition to become East Africa’s top investment and logistical centre.
“This underscores the country’s push to position itself as East Africa’s premier investment and logistical hub,” he said.
Ruto, who is on a four-day state visit to China, arrived in the country on Tuesday following an invitation from President Xi Jinping.
He is accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries Lee Kinyanjui (Trade), Davis Chirchir (Roads), and William Kabogo (ICT), along with several Principal Secretaries.
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