Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan and her delegation in a meeting with ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Treasury CS John Mbadi on March 24, 2025 / RAILA ODINGA / XODM leader Raila Odinga and National Treasury CS John Mbadi on Monday held talks with the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan.
Raila said that the Ambassador paid him a courtesy call just like other ambassadors have been doing.
He said their discussions revolved around bilateral ties between Kenya and China, emphasising the historic mutual and cordial relations the two countries have enjoyed for decades.
In a statement after the meeting, the former Prime Minister said that Kenya and China collaborate on trade, industry, technology, and infrastructure.
"Today, I have received Guo Haiyan Ambassador of the People's Republic of China. She paid a courtesy call on me just like other ambassadors have done. This is basically in my capacity as the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement," Raila said.
He said Kenya and China have ongoing discussions on development projects and strengthening of ties between the two countries.
"We have discussed issues of common interest as China has been with this country for as long as it was independent and they have financed development projects in the country," Raila said.
Speaking at a presser after the meeting, the ODM boss steered clear of politics saying he is not part of the government but has a keen interest of the growth of the mutual relationship between Kenya and China.
"I'm not part of the government, therefore I'm only concerned about the mutual relationship between our two countries," Raila said.
President William Ruto reshuffled his Cabinet in June last year and incorporated some of opposition figures from the ODM party into his broad-based government.
The two leaders recently signed a working partnership, which Raila insists was not a political deal of any sorts.
Raila has since his loss in the AU Commission chairmanship race held talks with two envoys.
On March 18, he held a meeting with the United Kingdom High Commissioner, Neil Wigan.
The two discussed among other issues the evolving international system and the state of the country.
He said that they also touched on the relations between Kenya and the UK.
“I've had a very illuminating discussion with H.ENeil Wigan, the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Kenya this morning focusing on our country's long-running relationship with the UK, the state of the Kenyan nation and the evolving international system,” Raila said then.
The former PM noted that he was happy to learn of the UK’s intent to further strengthen ties with Kenya.
He said this would be done by moving from giving aid to Kenya, as has been the case for many years, to economic investment.
Raila said he was also happy to hear of the UK and Europe’s plan to reach out to other parts of the world in efforts to engage on key issues affecting the workings of international systems.
