Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is scheduled to fly to China.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Gachagua stated that he would among other issues, pitch for Kenya’s agroproduce, moreso coffee, tea and avocado during the trip.
Gachagua spoke moments after meeting China’s Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian at his Karen residence.
“Kenya and the People’s Republic of China enjoy cordial and fraternal relations based on mutual trust and benefit, especially in trade and development,” Gachagua stated.
“At the Karen residence today, I hosted the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya H.E. Zhou Pingjian, who paid a courtesy call on me. This is in preparation of my visit to China to among other issues, pitch for our agroproduce, moreso coffee, tea and avocado.”
The second in command says that during the meeting, he discussed issues affecting Kenya and China including enhancing trade and investment.
“We discussed cross-cutting priority areas of common interests between the two Nations, including enhancing Trade and Investment, among others,” Gachagua says.
Ruto in China
Gachagua’s trip to China comes months after President William Ruto travelled to the Asian country in October 2023.
During the visit, Ruto held a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.
Ruto hailed the Belt and Road Initiative, saying the Kenyan side has benefited a lot from its cooperation with China.
He also urged efforts to deepen practical cooperation and promote people-to-people exchanges.
In December 2023, the government through the Central Bank of Kenya floated a plan to borrow at least $1 billion (approximately Ksh129 billion according to the current exchange rates).