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The Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association on Tuesday 17 launched the 2022 – 2023 Chinese Enterprises Social Responsibility Report at Nairobi’s Argyle Hotel in a colorful ceremony.

The 77-page report details the various ways Chinese businesses in the country have had a positive impact on the social, economic, and environmental fabric of the country, in alignment with its Vision 2030 goals. 

Speaking at the launch, the Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya Hon. Zhou Zhencheng, is emblematic of the two nations’ shared goals and ambitions rooted in China-Africa cooperation. 

“During President Ruto’s visit to China earlier, he and President Xi Jing discussed jointly advancing and achieving common development, setting a clear directive for Kenya and China relationship,” said Hon. Zhencheng asserts that this has set the tone for trade relations between the two partners. 

Echoing these sentiments,  Principal Secretary of the State Department for Transport, Hon. Mohamed Daghar affirmed the far-reaching efforts of Chinese enterprises in Kenya saying the two sides are friends first before anything, something that has greatly aided collaboration. 

“There are much more similarities between our country and China than there are differences. The Chinese goal of eradicating poverty, and elevating education is a reflection of Kenya and some of the development goals the country has, said Daghar.

The report also underscores the alignment of these efforts with the “Ten Cooperation Plans” discussed during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), jointly championed by President Xi Jinping and Kenyan President William Ruto.

The launch of the reports just after Kenya celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations and a decade after the Belt and Road Initiative was launched. Under the umbrella of the two, trade bilateral trade grew from 2.8 billion U.S. dollars to 8.5  billion U.S., elevating economic and trade cooperation.

Mr. Wekola Billy Musoma, a direct beneficiary of said partnerships, says Chinese enterprise  KEDA Ceramics gave him employment right out of university during the COVID-19 pandemic where he has grown to become the HR lead. 

“Our company,  situated in Kajiado, has invested in improving road infrastructure which has helped locals who use it to ferry goods to markets. It has also dug a local well that residents get to enjoy. Each year the company gives at least five hundred thousand shillings ( approximately 5000 U.S. dollars)  in student support, an amount that is set to double in 2025.”

Kenya and China’s path in this regard is guided by the “Ten Cooperation Plans” discussed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September 2024, officials disclosed at the launch.