In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- President Ruto and Raila Odinga arrived together in Beijing for the China-Africa Cooperation Summit, signaling improved relations and focusing on infrastructure deals with China.
- Ruto aims to secure major agreements on infrastructure and trade, while Raila seeks support for his bid to lead the African Union Commission.
President William Ruto and former political rival Raila Odinga made a notable joint appearance in Beijing on Monday evening, ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.
Their arrival signals a remarkable turn in their relationship, which has warmed in recent months. Both leaders are part of a prominent delegation of African heads of state attending the summit.
Their joint presence in China drew significant attention, with President Ruto making a stylish, casual entrance in a Tommy Hilfiger sweatshirt, jeans, and white sneakers.
Raila Odinga, who followed closely behind, maintained his signature look, dressed in a navy blue Kaunda suit paired with a cowboy hat.
Upon their arrival, President Ruto tweeted, “China-Africa Cooperation Summit. The meeting presents an opportunity for Africa to renew and strengthen its partnership with China.
Over the years, China has proven to be a true development partner, significantly revamping our infrastructure. We look forward to leveraging these ties to accelerate our transformation.”
The participation of both Ruto and Raila at such a significant event marks a substantial shift in Kenyan politics.
For years, the two have been staunch opponents, with Raila contesting election results that favored Ruto in their last electoral contest.
However, anti-tax protests earlier this year unexpectedly brought the two together, leading to the formation of a broad-based government.
During the summit, President Ruto is expected to secure multi-million-dollar agreements with China, particularly in infrastructure and trade.
Raila, on the other hand, is likely to engage with African leaders to garner support for his bid to become the chairperson of the African Union Commission.
President Ruto will also co-chair a session on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a central theme of the summit focused on modernization and building a high-level China-Africa community.
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A key priority for President Ruto, as outlined in a Sunday State House statement, is his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new areas of cooperation.
Additionally, Ruto will attend the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Conference, where he will advocate for increased Chinese investment in Kenya’s infrastructure, healthcare, and technology sectors.
Kenya anticipates securing agreements on critical infrastructure projects, including the construction of rural roads, the Nairobi Intelligent Transportation System, and the Bosto Dam Water Supply Project.
Talks will also address extending and completing phases 2B and 2C of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), dualing the Nairobi Northern Bypass, and other essential infrastructure initiatives.
The visit is also expected to open the door for new cooperation projects, such as establishing a pharmaceutical park and negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA).