In a notable display of unity, President William Ruto and formers political rival Raila Odinga arrived in Beijing on Monday evening ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.
The two leaders, whose relationship has seen a surprising thaw in recent months, are part of a high-profile delegation of African leaders attending the summit.
“China-Africa Cooperation Summit. The meeting presents an opportunity for Africa to renew and strengthen its partnership with China,” Ruto tweeted upon their arrival.
“Over the years, China has proven to be a true development partner, significantly revamping our infrastructure. We look forward to leveraging these ties to accelerate our transformation.
The presence of Ruto and Raila at such a high-profile event represents a significant shift in Kenyan politics.
During the summit, President Ruto is expected to pursue multi-million-dollar agreements with China, focusing on infrastructure and trade.
Meanwhile, Raila is anticipated to meet with African leaders, likely to garner support for his bis to become the chairperson of the African Union Commission.
During the summit, which focusses on modernization and building a high-level China-Africa community, President Ruto will co-chair a session on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
One of President Ruto’s top priorities is a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new areas of cooperation.
