Somali Magazine –
Kipchumba Murkomen-Kenya’s Transport Cabinet Secretary is currently in Beijing, China for an infrastructural development projects meeting.
During his visit to Beijing, Murkomen engaged in consultative meetings with notable figures such as HE Li Xiaopeng, the Minister of Transport, and Deng Li, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
CS Murkomen also met with Tan Wenhong, the Deputy Director General of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), and Wang Weidong, the Executive Vice President of China Development Bank (CDB).
Murkomen emphasized that these partnerships hold the promise of advancing critical infrastructure projects in Kenya, including the completion of ongoing road initiatives, the extension of the railway network to Malaba, and the expansion of key highways, among other vital developments.
“Our discussions revolved around reinforcing our bilateral development cooperation and fostering a comprehensive strategic partnership as we commemorate 60 years of diplomatic ties,” Murkomen stated in an official announcement.
“Through our partnership, we hope to complete our ongoing road projects, extend the railway to Malaba, dual our main highways, expand our port and airports’ infrastructure, equip our Technical and Vocational Institutions, build water dams, implement our smart and intelligent traffic systems among others,” he said.
He also revealed that President William Ruto is expected in China soon by President Xi Jinping.
“Our meetings precede President William Ruto’s visit soon to China to meet with his counterpart President Xi Jinping. I was also honoured at the invitation of my counterpart to attend and address the 2023 Global Sustainable Transport Forum where I underscored the importance of global partnerships in the development of sustainable and climate-resilient transport infrastructure including the opportunities available in Kenya for Public-private partnerships (PPP),” he concluded.
Kenya-China trade relations
China currently exports goods worth $720 million to Kenya while Kenya earns $42.4 million from exports to China.
The main imports from China include machinery, electric & electronic equipment, garments, organic materials, pharmaceutical products and footwear among others, while Kenya exports titanium ore, niobium, tantalum, vanadium, zirconium ore and avocados.