Faith Nyasuguta
Kenya is set to sign a major infrastructure deal with China for the construction of a modern Foreign Affairs Complex in Nairobi. The move marks a deepening of diplomatic ties between the two nations as they celebrate 60 years of formal relations. The agreement is expected to be formalized during President William Ruto’s ongoing five-day state visit to Beijing.
The Foreign Affairs Complex will serve as the new headquarters for Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, replacing the current offices. The ministry has outgrown its existing space due to its expanding diplomatic responsibilities. The new facility is intended to provide a modern and spacious environment that reflects Kenya’s growing global engagement.
While the final cost of the project has not been disclosed, a feasibility study is already underway. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed that technical assessments are ongoing to determine the scope of the project before the groundbreaking. “At this point, the project is undergoing a feasibility study. This is a conversation we will have before the groundbreaking,” he said in an interview in Beijing.
Liyuan /Capital News/
The construction of the complex is part of China’s broader commitment to Kenya and symbolizes the enduring relationship between the two countries. It also forms part of several key deals expected to be signed during President Ruto’s visit, which aims to boost trade, infrastructure, and diplomatic cooperation.
China has played a significant role in Kenya’s development over the past two decades. In 2023, bilateral trade between the two nations hit $6.8 billion, making China Kenya’s largest trading partner and its biggest bilateral creditor. Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in Kenya include the Nairobi Expressway, the Standard Gauge Railway, the Kipevu Oil Terminal, and hundreds of kilometers of roads and bridges across the country.
In 2024, a Chinese team of engineers and architects visited Nairobi to begin preliminary design work on the new complex. The team worked closely with Kenyan officials to ensure the facility would meet both functional and diplomatic standards.
President Ruto’s current visit to China is also centered around the Kenya-China Business Forum, which brings together over 100 companies from both countries to explore new areas of investment and economic cooperation. Ruto is also expected to engage Chinese leaders on debt sustainability and potential restructuring of existing loans.
The new Foreign Affairs Complex is just one part of a bigger strategy by Kenya to strengthen its global diplomatic presence. The country has increasingly positioned itself as a regional hub for diplomacy and trade, and the upcoming headquarters will be a central pillar in achieving that goal.
The partnership also reflects China’s long-term strategy in Africa, where it has been expanding its influence through infrastructure, trade, and cultural exchange. As Kenya continues to rise as a strategic partner on the continent, the Foreign Affairs Complex will stand as a symbol of mutual growth and respect.
This project, while technical in nature, carries deep political significance, cementing a relationship that has grown steadily for six decades and is now poised to enter an even more dynamic phase.
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