Why Kenyan President Ruto’s visit is a ‘symbolic’ win for China as US tariffs rock world

Five-day trip comes as Kenya weighs its options amid US tariffs and aid halts, with China scoring a win ‘in terms of optics’, observer says

Reading Time:3 minutes

President William Ruto of Kenya is expected to seek Chinese funding for two key infrastructure projects. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:00pm, 22 Apr 2025Updated: 7:04pm, 22 Apr 2025

Kenyan President William Ruto’s first state visit to China starting today signals a strategic shift, according to observers, as Western support for Nairobi wanes and Beijing seeks to build a Global South alliance to counter Trump’s tariffs.

During the five-day trip, Ruto is expected to seek funding for two key infrastructure projects – the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba on the border with Uganda, vital for regional trade, and a major highway project connecting the Rift Valley to western Kenya.

He has visited twice before for multilateral events since taking office in September 2022 – the first time for the October 2023 Belt and Road Forum and again last September to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.

Observers said the state visit marked a departure from Ruto’s initial West-leaning stance and a contrast to the anti-China rhetoric of his presidential bid.

While the Ruto administration lost no time in boosting engagement with the United States and Europe after assuming power, its apparent failure to secure funding, coupled with the challenges of the US tariff war, were behind the recent overtures to China, they said.

With traditional ally the United States imposing trade tariffs and pulling aid, Ruto is seeking new markets, project financing and investors, according to Adhere Cavince, a Nairobi-based international relations researcher.