Kenya-China Friendship Association Secretary General Beatrice Elachi, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan, ICT CS William Kabogo, Minister of the State Council Information Office of China Mo Gaoyi, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar, and China International Communication Group Vice President Yu Tao pose for a photo op during the China-Kenya readers forum on Xi Jinping at JW Marriott on December 1, 2025. /DOUGLAS OKIDDY
ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has invited Chinese authorities to consider a Kenya Village cultural showcase in major Chinese cities.
He made the call in Nairobi on Monday during the unveiling of the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: Governance of China book series.
The CS said the event would provide a space where visitors can experience Kenyan cuisine, crafts, music, and stories. This will be as the Chinese learn about Kenya’s tourism offers, destinations, and creative industries.
“Beginning as a pop-up cultural week and later evolving into a permanent centre. it would deepen people-to-people ties and promote tourism in both directions,” Kabogo said.
The CS said that while Kenya’s ties with China have continued to grow across many sectors, the place of culture needs to be explored further.
He said the recent State visit by President William Ruto reaffirmed Nairobi’s shared commitment and “set out new areas of cooperation that are now being actively implemented.”
“But beyond infrastructure, digital development, or trade, we also recognize the importance of deepening cultural and intellectual ties.” Kabogo said.
The CS said Kenya was cognizant of culture tourism as an emerging frontier in its cooperation with China.
“Kenya’s heritage, music, food, crafts, and diverse traditions offers tremendous potential for cultural engagement with Chinese audiences,” he said.
He went on, “We would be pleased to work with our partners to promote cultural itineraries, festivals, film tourism, and heritage exhibitions.”
The CS said Kenya was also keen to expand exchange between Kenyan scholars and their Chinese counterparts, as well as with writers, journalists, and players in the creative industries.
“We welcome opportunities for joint translation and publishing, academic and youth fellowships, media placements between Kenya and Chinese newsrooms, and collaboration in digital storytelling and research,” Kabogo explained.
He said the importance of the cultural exchanges in building mutual understanding, and allowing the youth to appreciate the richness of each cultures cannot be understated. Borrowing from the new book, the CS said cooperation is built not only through infrastructure but also through shared understanding.
“As the book notes, ‘civilizations become richer and more colourful through exchanges and mutual learning’,” Kabogo said.
He said it was noteworthy that the book has placed ‘the people’ at the centre of governance, saying it mirrors Kenya Kwanza’s core ideology under the Bottom Up plan.
“This is a principle that resonates deeply with our own aspirations in Kenya,” the CS said.
Notable figures namely China’s ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan, Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, Radio Africa Group Editorial Director Paul Ilado, and UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar graced the event.
There were also representatives from the Kenya Literature Bureau and top Communist Party of China (CPC) officials. Ilado said Xi’s vision as captured in the book mirrors that of Radio Africa Group in its role as a critical media player in the relations between the two sides.
“In Kenya, the role of the media cannot be understated. It is a driving force in the Kenya-China relations, and we are happy to be part of it.”
“What began as a series of formal engagements has blossomed. This partnership has enabled us to do more exchanges. The embassy has offered resources and insights that inspire us to cover the beautiful stories arising from these ties,” Ilado said, pointing out that the collaboration is not merely transactional.
“We contribute to a more nuanced narrative that transcends the usual. Insights of this book remind us of the necessity of adapting media to better serve our communities, offering fresh perspectives, sharing experiences, and learning from one another,” the top editor said.
He urged industry players to “embrace transformative media as an active tool to reinforce the relationship between Kenya and China.”
“Let's appreciate the critical role media plays in shaping this ongoing dialogue. Together we can build not only bridges to cooperation but also share pathways,” Ilado quipped.
Elachi, for her part, said Kenya and its leadership need to work on strong governance, political commitment, and long-term plans.
“That's what's the Chinese have got right. To get where Ruto hopes to take the country, strong governance is key,” the lawmaker stated.
She pointed out that having benefited from the Belt and Road Initiative, the country needs to do more.
“We need to partner in how to ensure our county industrial parks can translate into small light industries. Urbanization and building small cities is possible if the relationship is implemented well, and poverty will be a thing of the past,” the MP said.
UDA’s Hassan Omar said, “We believe we align to the Asia Pacific ideals. UDA expresses gratitude to the CPC, which is our strategic partner. Event speaks to the ideals of Kenya-China relations.”
He said the book offers an opportunity to reflect on China’s modus operandi and apply the same in Africa.
”The collaborations will help us learn to instill party discipline and steer development. We are interested in adaptation not imitation,” the Secretary General said, adding that Kenya’s growth progress has the hallmarks of ‘anchorage in China’.
Yu Tao, Vice President of China International Communications Group, said the two sides should explore deep exchanges on governance policies.
“We share a common vision in national development, and wellbeing. Poverty reduction is a common goal for all nations,” Tao said, adding that, “no one should be left behind in building a modern and prosperous society”.
He added that “China and Kenya look to each other on civilizations, education, and culture.”
