Kenya is set to sign a major agreement with China this week for the construction of a new, modern headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi. The deal will be sealed during President William Ruto’s state visit to Beijing and is part of a broader effort to deepen diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.
The planned facility, which has been in discussion for nearly four years, will be partially funded by China through grants. In May 2024, a Chinese technical delegation visited Nairobi to initiate design work, signalling the start of the project’s implementation.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed the development on Monday in Beijing, noting that while the project is still undergoing a feasibility study, the agreement represents one of several high-level deals to be finalized during President Ruto’s visit.
“Groundbreaking will follow after we’ve completed the necessary assessments,” Sing’oei said, without disclosing the overall cost of the facility.
The new headquarters aims to offer a larger, more modern workspace to reflect Kenya’s growing role as a diplomatic hub. Currently, the Ministry operates from offices on Harambee Avenue, which are considered insufficient for the country’s expanding foreign affairs operations. The exact location of the new building has yet to be revealed.
This initiative also marks a celebration of 60 years of diplomatic ties between Kenya and China, which were first established in 1963, briefly paused in 1967, and resumed in 1978.
The headquarters project is just one of several major deals expected during the state visit. Other agreements include the construction of two county hospitals and the inauguration of the Kenya Tea Holding Centre in Fujian Province, one of China’s key tea-growing regions.
President Ruto, who will be hosted at a state banquet by Chinese President Xi Jinping, is accompanied by several Cabinet Secretaries. The visit will also feature business forums, strategic bilateral meetings, and a keynote address by Ruto at Peking University, where he will speak on Africa’s inclusive growth agenda and South-South cooperation.
Speaking on Kenya’s investment climate, Sing’oei emphasized the country’s commitment to fairness and transparency. He highlighted a range of incentives for foreign investors, such as flexible banking rules for repatriating profits, strong legal protections, and mechanisms to resolve disputes efficiently.
“These incentives are open to all, including our Chinese partners, as we continue to build a stable, investment-friendly environment,” he said.
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