Kenya’s president, Ruto, considers joining BRICS cooperation mechanism

Kenya’s President William Ruto has expressed his country’s interest in joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism and deepening its partnership with China in green energy and industrial development.

Ruto emphasised that multilateral cooperation would open new export markets for Kenyan goods and foster technological sharing for mutual growth.

The Kenyan leader said this in an interview with People’s Daily Online, a partner of TV BRICS.

BRICS is an acronym for the powerful grouping of the world’s leading emerging market economies, namely: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The BRICS mechanism seeks to promote peace, security, development, and cooperation.

He expressed Kenya’s readiness to use Chinese technology and financial support to develop local manufacturing, including electric vehicles.

According to him, Kenya is open to multilateral cooperation and expanding export opportunities.

Trade between China and Kenya surged by 11.9 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching a historic high of 16.13 billion yuan ($2.2 billion).

This marks the sixth straight quarter of growth, with Chinese exports rising by 11.8 per cent and imports from Kenya climbing by 13.2 per cent.

At the same time, China increased supplies to Kenya of goods that contribute to the development of industry and the improvement of the quality of life.

Exports of intermediate goods increased by 11.4 per cent, consumer goods by 10.1 per cent, and capital goods by 10.4 per cent.

There was an increase in supplies of engineering equipment: exports of bulldozers increased by 112.4 per cent, excavators by 190.6 per cent, and mobile cranes by 7.1 times.

Kenya remains China’s top trade partner in East Africa, while China is Kenya’s largest import source.