Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Chinese ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan cut the cake during the celebrations of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Chinese embassy in Nairobi on September 30, 2026./LEAH MUKANGAINairobi on Wednesday joined Chinese communities around the world in celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Kenya and China used the occasion to reaffirm their growing strategic partnership.
More than 500 guests gathered at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi for a colourful National Day reception.
Senior Kenyan government officials, MPs, diplomats, international organisations, Chinese businesses and members of the Chinese community attended the fete.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi represented the Kenyan government at the event and congratulated President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Government and people on the anniversary.
Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan used the occasion to highlight what she described as China’s transformation over the past 77 years.
She also emphasised the expanding relationship between Nairobi and Beijing.
Amb Guo said China had moved from a largely poor and agricultural economy in 1949 to become the world’s second-largest economy and a major player in global trade and manufacturing.
She said the country’s development had been accompanied by progress in education, healthcare, social security and environmental protection.
The ambassador also placed the celebration in the context of China-Africa relations, which she said had entered a new phase as African countries pursued development and modernisation.
This year marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, with China and Kenya organising more than 20 activities involving education, culture, tourism and other areas.
More than 1,000 Kenyans have travelled to China for training courses and study programmes under the initiative, according to Guo.
Amb Guo said exchanges between government institutions, legislatures, political parties and local authorities had also increased.
Mudavadi said Kenya valued its relationship with China and would continue implementing agreements reached by the two countries.
He recalled President William Ruto’s state visit to China in April 2025, during which Kenya-China relations were elevated to an All-Weather Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The partnership covers areas including finance, manufacturing, value addition, infrastructure, health, tourism, culture and education.
Trade also featured prominently during the reception.
Guo said Kenyan exports of avocado oil to China had increased by 700 per cent since the implementation of zero tariffs in May.
She further noted that aquatic product exports had risen by 350 per cent and coffee exports had nearly doubled by the end of August.
The figures come after China extended zero-tariff treatment to products from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.
Mudavadi said the agreement was already supporting exports of coffee, avocadoes and tea and creating opportunities for employment, particularly in agriculture.
Infrastructure was another major area of discussion, with Kenya hailing progress in mega projects being rolled out in partnership with China.
Mudavadi said Kenya appreciated Chinese support for major infrastructure projects, including the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway and the proposed extension of the SGR from Naivasha through Kisumu to Malaba.
He said the projects would improve regional connectivity and provide landlocked countries with access to the Indian Ocean.
Guo said China was ready to deepen cooperation with Kenya in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, youth affairs, science and technology.
She also said the two countries would continue supporting each other in multilateral affairs and work together on issues affecting the Global South.
The reception came as China marked its National Day on October 1, commemorating the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
In Nairobi, the event brought together representatives of the Kenyan and Chinese governments, the diplomatic community, international organisations and the private sector.
Guo thanked Kenyans from different sectors for supporting China-Kenya friendship and described the Chinese community in Kenya as an important bridge between the two countries.
Mudavadi, for his part, reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership and implementing agreements reached by the two governments.
The evening ended with a toast to the prosperity of Kenya and China and the friendship between their peoples.
