Kenya secures trade deal with China but rising debt, US competition complicate deeper ties

2026-03-27 - 07:02

Nairobi has secured trade and infrastructure financing deals during Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng’s visit, but analysts cautioned that deepening ties were complicated by rising debt and Nairobi’s balancing act between global powers. The “early harvest” Economic Partnership Agreement grants Kenyan products – including tea, coffee and avocados – duty-free and quota-free access to the Chinese market starting in May. President William Ruto hailed the deal, alongside new memorandums of...