Guo Haiyan has officially taken over as the 18th Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, following the conclusion of Zhou Pingjian’s successful four-year tenure. Guo, who arrived in Nairobi on January 6, 2025, is now set to deepen the longstanding relationship between Kenya and China, which has flourished since the two countries established diplomatic ties 61 years ago.
Upon her arrival, Guo was warmly welcomed by Amb Jane Makori, Deputy Director-General of the State Department for Foreign Affairs. Guo expressed her readiness to collaborate closely with the Kenyan government and people, with a focus on strengthening traditional friendships and promoting practical cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
Before her appointment to Nairobi, Guo served as China’s Ambassador to Guyana, concluding her term in December 2024. As Kenya’s new Chinese envoy, Guo’s priorities include implementing the outcomes from the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting held in Beijing. This meeting culminated in the adoption of the FOCAC-Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027), a comprehensive roadmap for collaboration across key sectors such as trade, infrastructure, health, agriculture, green development, and security sectors aligned with Kenya’s development goals and President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Among the most significant outcomes of the FOCAC meeting is the agreement to increase access for Kenyan agricultural products to the Chinese market and enhance cooperation in infrastructure projects. These include the expansion of Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the construction of the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway, which is expected to boost Kenya’s position as a transport and logistics hub in Eastern Africa. Additionally, the two countries agreed to improve rural connectivity through the construction of 15 rural roads.
Guo’s appointment signals a continued strong partnership between Kenya and China, as both countries work towards a shared future of economic development and regional cooperation.
