Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi is expected to visit Kenya and two other African countries next week.
According to China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, the visit is a continuation of the foreign minister's tradition of starting the year with a visit to Africa.
"State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Eritrea, Kenya and the Comoros from January 4 to 7, 2022 upon invitation," Zhao said.
"Afterwards he will visit Maldives and Sri Lanka upon invitation."
Wang's expected visit to Kenya is highly seen as a move to further strengthen relations between the two countries.
Officials in Kenya said Wang and his delegation are scheduled for bilateral meetings with his Kenyan counterpart Raychelle Omamo and will also meet President Uhuru Kenyatta.
"We are all set for the high profile visit from China by the Foreign Minister," a senior government official said.
The Chinese Foreign Minister's visit comes a few days after President Uhuru Kenyatta described relations with China as mutually beneficial.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the 27.1-kilometer Nairobi Expressway, which has been constructed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP), the President dismissed critics of Chinese projects in Kenya, calling on them to look at the benefits to Kenyans.
"Our partnership with China is one that is mutually beneficial, that is based on win-win, and we are very grateful to the Chinese Government and people for the support that they continue to render not only our country but to the rest of Africa," Uhuru said.
He affirmed Kenya’s commitment to continue working with the Chinese Government, which he said continues to be Kenya's key development partner.
