Nakuru County Government is partnering with China in various key sectors as one way of improving the livelihoods of the residents.
The alliance is geared towards promoting trade and investment opportunities within the devolved unit across key sectors, including Automobile Engineering, Agriculture, Education, Infrastructure, Technology and Trade.
Deputy Governor Dr David Kones indicated that they were also eyeing increased agricultural exports adding that high-demand cash crops like avocados, macadamia nuts, coffee and tea from Nakuru County were currently commanding a substantial market share in China.
Dr Kones spoke during deliberations held with a delegation from China’s Henan Province, led by Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office Ms Liu Bao.
He said the collaboration between the County Government of Nakuru and China was further targeted at boosting water technology, renewable energy innovations and health among other sectors.
“This relationship positions Nakuru as a premier East African investment hub. Governor Susan Kihika’s administration is committed to leveraging Henan’s industrial and logistics capabilities. We are lobbying for skills development and knowledge transfer exchange programs in various sectors to accelerate Nakuru’s Economic growth,” Dr Kones pointed out.
Dr Kones encouraged the Chinese government to venture into ecotourism and other sectors in the county with the aim of improving the collaboration.
China is Kenya’s largest trading partner and the number one biggest source of imports. According to a Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) report, China remains Kenya’s largest import partner, with imports valued at Sh55.1 billion recorded in June 2025, up from Sh49.8 billion in May 2025.
The Deputy Governor thanked the Chinese Government for its partnership with Nakuru County and highlighted additional opportunities for collaboration, particularly in empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and training women and youth in Information Communication Technology.
He said the county had technological challenges in implementing some projects, adding that the expertise from China would help them achieve the much-desired goals.
The Deputy Governor said cordial relationship between Kenya and the Chinese Government has culminated in the Henan Province-based Global Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD (Build Your Dreams) working with local and regional partners to establish a vehicle assembly plant in Kenya, with Nairobi and Mombasa emerging as the primary hubs for Chinese EV assembly and distribution.
BYD which maintains its major manufacturing base in Henan Province, formally entered the Kenyan market in September 2024 and launched three models, the Atto 3, the Seal and the Dolphin in Nairobi.
Dr Kones pointed out that Kenya aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 32 per cent by 2030 and is working to lower its reliance on oil imports and added that Electric Vehicles (EV) form a central part of that national strategy.
“An assembly plant would create direct jobs for our technically skilled youth. Nakuru has trained artisans and engineers who are ready to participate in the green economy,” said Kones.
“We invite Chinese investors to come and establish value addition factories in Nakuru. The core of our relationship is expanding opportunities for economic growth and creating jobs for the youth. We are positioning Nakuru not just as an investment destination, but as a gateway where our farmers, our youth and our traders will directly feel the impact,” he added.
Ms Liu Bao welcomed the co-operation, adding that her country was willing to support Kenya’s growth. She described Nakuru’s tourism potential and favorable climate as key investment attractions.
The Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office explained that Henan Province ranks as China’s fifth-largest provincial economy, with a nominal GDP exceeding Sh116.5 trillion ($900 billion USD) and a population of nearly 100 million.
“We are happy to be here and we want to nurture this partnership,” she said.
The diplomat said her country will promote investment opportunities available in Nakuru especially in agriculture and partner in mobilizing Chinese firms’ investments in the region.
She indicated that her country recognized Kenya as a vibrant economy and critical trade partner. He added that Kenya was playing an important role in the global economy.
Nakuru is banking on direct sales of its farm produce to foreign markets and value addition to boost her revenue base.
The devolved unit is one of the leading producers of potatoes, milk, cut flowers, vegetables, avocados and other crops.
Dr Kones has previously challenged farmers to move from subsistence farming and penetrate the high value export market, besides joining cooperatives so as to access services and market their produce.
The diplomat also reiterated that the partnership will bring new markets, better skills and modern technology to the people of Nakuru.
The Chinese market presents a significant opportunity for Nakuru’s farming community. At least 15 Kenyan firms have been cleared by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) to export avocados to China.
More than three million smallholder farmers nationally are expected to benefit from the greater market access, according to Nakuru County Executive Committee Member in charge of Agriculture Leonard Bor.
“The access to China’s 1.4 billion consumers is a game-changer for our farmers. If we align our coffee, avocado and nut growers to meet Chinese standards, household incomes will rise significantly,” Bor said.
The partnership comes at a time when China-Kenya ties are at their strongest in six decades. At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, China agreed to grant Kenya’s agricultural produce greater access to its market.
This was hailed as an important boost for Kenyan farmers and traders, according to Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Under the FOCAC Action Plan 2025-2027, China has made further commitments to Africa. It will establish 6,670 hectares of standardized agricultural demonstration areas across the continent.
According to County Trade Director Mr Macharia, Henan’s model of integrating agriculture with industrial processing is exactly what Nakuru aspires to build. Their expertise, he noted, can shorten the time it takes Kenyan farm products to move from the farm to the Chinese dining table.
Also present during the joint deliberations were Chief of Staff Dr Peter Ketyenya, Chief Officers, Engineer Margaret Kinyanjui (Agriculture), Bernard Sang (Trade), Trade Director John Macharia, members of the investment Board Santosh Devaraj, Professor Abdi Guliye and Purity Mbuthia among other County officials from Finance and Agriculture department.
By Jane Ngugi and Simeon Afuyo
