Ruto, Jinping Meeting Helped To Strengthen Ties Between The Two Nations
The Mt Kenya Times 
President William Ruto and China’s President Xi Jinping with their spouses in Beijing, China
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- During the bilateral talks, President William Ruto minced no word in articulating the interests of the Kenyan people.
- Besides retracing the historical ties of the corporation and partnership between the two nations, he identified and listed the areas of the mutual interest.
- Sources indicated that in his response Jinping agreed of China’s commitment to enhance the ties.
- China considers Kenya as a key strategic partner. Mr President, we also look forward to support your vision of Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
- Dr Ruto’s critics further wanted Kenyans to believe that he was there on a begging mission.
President William Ruto has just concluded his three-day state visit to China.
I followed this visit with keen interest because it was the first visit to the Asian nation since he assumed office.
As we know, China is ranked as the second most powerful nation on earth after United States of American (USA).
A day after his arrival, the critics of the President started spreading raw rumors that he had been shunned by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
But they got ashamed and embarrassed after the two leaders met at Great Hall of China.
It is worth noting that the meeting between the visiting President and the host is organized in advance.
So, in this visit, Dr Ruto knew he will hold a one-on-one meeting with his Chinese counterpart before he jetted out of the country.
Therefore, the claims by his critics were very cheap and narrow.
During the bilateral talks, President William Ruto minced no word in articulating the interests of the Kenyan people.
Besides retracing the historical ties of the corporation and partnership between the two nations, he identified and listed the areas of the mutual interest.
Sources indicated that in his response Jinping agreed of China’s commitment to enhance the ties.
China considers Kenya as a key strategic partner. Mr President, we also look forward to support your vision of Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Dr Ruto’s critics further wanted Kenyans to believe that he was there on a begging mission.
Again, these claims did not hold any water.
Yes, we saw the President pitching for the extension of Standard Railway Gauge (SGR) from Naivasha to the border town of Busia.
From there, the line will cross to Uganda, Rwanda and all the way to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He said the talks with his counterparts touching on this matter were at advanced stage. Each country will mobilize financial resources for the construction of SGR within their jurisdiction.
President Ruto and his delegation did not hold any discussion touching on borrowing monies.
Sources indicated the government of Kenya will communicate to Kenyans the deals and agreements that Kenya inked with China during this visit.
On borrowing, allow me to say this. This is not a bad thing. The problem comes when you borrow loan money that was beyond your means.
It is not only developing countries that rely on foreign loans for the implementation of development projects and programmes. Even the most developed nations do the same.
President Ruto’s visit came at a time when speculations were rife that he had shunned the East in favor of the West, a narrative peddled by those who cited his numerous visits to the Western capitals.
To me, it is too early to judge him. Dr Ruto is a democrat and a strong believer in the Kenyan constitution and the rule of law. So, he cannot make such a decision without seeking concurrence of the relevant arms of the Kenyan government.
It is worth noting that former President Mwai Kibaki laid the foundation that saw Kenya turning East and sought to strengthen ties with China.
As a result, China was awarded contracts worth billions of shillings.
Thika Superhighway, Lamu Port and Standard Guage Railway (SGR) were among the major projects clinched by the Asian giant.
Kibaki’s successor President Uhuru Kenyatta followed the suit.
On SGR, he managed to negotiate for a whopping contractual loan totalling to Sh370 billion.
The monies were used to construct the new modern line from Mombasa to Nairobi and to buy the rolling stocks.
For President Ruto, my considered view is that his wish is to maintain cordial relationship with all development partners.
In this maiden visit, President Ruto joined more than 100 heads of state and government invited by the President of China to attend the Belt and Road Forum on development.
On the sidelines, Dr Ruto had a busy schedule. He held talks with chief executives of the big companies specializing in strategic areas of mutual interest including energy and technology.
By the time of writing of this article, he had witnessed Kenya signing multi-millions deals with these public and private companies.
One of the firms agreed to help Kenya generate more energy at a lower cost. With this, hustlers in Kenya have a reason to smile as this would lead to lowering of the cost of electricity.
On technology, Ruto’s interventions were equally fruitful. The cost of the communication gadgets and internet services was bound to come down.
On SGR, I’m sure many recalls that this was a government to government deal. It follows that some of the key contents of agreement were not made the public.
The content becomes the top secret of Uhuru’s administration. We recall that during this period the relationship between Uhuru his deputy Ruto had begun to worsen. It did not take long before the implosion preceded by the ‘handshake’ between the President Uhuru and his arch rival Raila Odinga occurred.
From then, Dr Ruto was kept in darkness. Uhuru would not share critical information with him.
This is despite these mega projects having generated a public debate.
As Kenyans, this is a big burden being placed on our shoulders. The big question was. Are we going to get value for our money?
Ruto’s visit was therefore long overdue.
It gave him an opportunity to get to know the secrets.
It is worth noting that during the era of President Daniel Arap Moi, the West stood as Kenya’s key development partners.
I have been listening to the powerful speeches Dr Ruto had been making when the Presidents of Western countries invited him. He would boldly champion the interests of Kenyans and the course of Pan Africanism.
Given this scenerio, the President would not shy working with the partners who gave us better deals.
For the contracts, the government would always consider the firms that offer better terms. The cost of the project. But the quality of the work would surpass all the considerations.
President Ruto has been visiting rich countries and he has so far secured goodies worth billions of shillings for all of us, Kenyans. This shows that he means well for Kenya. Let us continue supporting him.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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