Kenya's Speaker presses China on trade gap: US$5.19bn in imports, US$130.8m in exports

Kenya's National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang'ula, told the 2026 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges in China that Kenya imported about US$5.19 billion of goods from China in 2025 and exported US$130.8 million, and asked China to help narrow the gap, Capital FM, a Kenyan news outlet, reported on 13 October.

Wetang'ula said Kenya–China economic ties should focus on local manufacturing, technology transfer and more Kenyan exports to China. "Our goal is to turn the friendship between Kenya and China into jobs, inclusive growth and lasting prosperity," he said, as quoted by Capital FM. Eastleigh Voice, a Kenyan news site, reported on 13 October that he made the remarks at the forum and in a statement, and that he urged Kenya to add value to its farm produce.

He pointed to the Standard Gauge Railway, the Nairobi Expressway and Lamu Port as examples of existing cooperation, according to Capital FM. He also said 144 technical and vocational institutions had received modern equipment through Kenya–China cooperation and that 314 trainers had been trained.

Eastleigh Voice gave shilling figures for the trade balance. It reported that Kenya's deficit with China reached a record KES 654.3 billion in 2025, up 19 per cent from KES 549.8 billion in 2024. Imports from China rose 16.5 per cent to KES 671.2 billion from KES 576.1 billion in 2024, while exports fell 35.7 per cent to KES 16.9 billion from KES 26.3 billion.

Capital FM reported that in March 2026 the State Department for Trade said China had agreed to give about 98.2 per cent of Kenyan products zero-duty access under an Early Harvest Agreement. Eastleigh Voice noted that better market access does not guarantee higher exports, because producers still have to meet quality and food-safety standards, keep supply reliable and connect with buyers.

The forum brings together more than 60 serving and former legislators from five continents, The Star reported on 12 October. Capital FM reported on 12 October that the forum was initiated in 2023 by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

In a statement on his social media accounts, Wetang'ula said Kenya would use the forum to strengthen ties with China's National People's Congress and other legislatures and to share experience in lawmaking and governance, Capital FM reported on 12 October.

The Star reported on 12 October that Wetang'ula visited the Modern Industrial Exhibition and Exchange Centre in Binhai New Area, Tianjin. There he said technology transfer, skills development, automation and artificial intelligence "will be critical" to industrialisation and job creation in Kenya, according to the paper.