Joining hands for development, China and Kenya continuously deepen pragmatic cooperation (China Africa cooperation in the new era)

At the foot of Mount Menengai in Kenya, geothermal power plant facilities are well distributed, with green pipelines winding through them. The pressure is normal and the temperature is normal, "said Joseph Kamau, a mechanical engineer at the Soxian Thermal Power Station in Kenya, as usual, inspecting the equipment operation status with the Chinese operation and maintenance team.

In recent years, China and Kenya have continuously deepened practical cooperation, promoted high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", increasingly enriched the connotation of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and contributed to building a China Kenya community of shared future in the new era.

Continuously injecting momentum into Kenya's green development

Energy is the foundation of industrialization. In recent years, Kenya's economy has developed rapidly, leading to an increase in electricity demand. Developing clean energy has become an important measure for the Kenyan government to overcome the shortage of electricity supply.

The Soxian geothermal power station where Kamau is located is under the general contracting of China Kaishan Group and will be put into operation for power transmission at the end of June 2023. This is the first geothermal power station in Africa that is completely independently designed, constructed, and commissioned by a Chinese enterprise. China has advanced technology, efficient equipment operation, and stronger operability, "said Kamau.

In addition to the Soxian geothermal power station, in Kenya, Chinese enterprises are upgrading and renovating the first phase of the Orcaria geothermal power station. As the first geothermal power station in Africa, the Orcaria Phase I geothermal power station, which was put into operation in 1981, was once unable to operate normally due to pipeline corrosion, outdated technology, and other reasons. In August 2023, China Power Construction Shandong Electric Power Construction Third Engineering Co., Ltd. officially upgraded and renovated the power station. Kenyan engineer James Ndungu, who participated in the project, said that by optimizing the turbine structure and geothermal well layout, Chinese companies have reactivated the potential of this geothermal field. This is a 'technological revolution', where the Chinese team not only upgraded equipment, but also hired a large number of local employees and conducted training, cultivating technical backbone for Kenya, "said Ndungu.

China has rich experience in developing renewable energy and advanced technological equipment, while Kenya has abundant resources. Cooperation between the two sides will help Kenya achieve energy self-sufficiency and continuously inject momentum into Kenya's green development, "said George Aluru, President of the Kenya Electricity Industry Association.

Chinese agricultural technology is leading us out of poverty and towards prosperity

On the banks of the Enzoya River in western Kenya, the gates are open and clear river water flows into newly excavated ditches along irrigation channels.

Now we can use water anytime and no longer have to rely on the weather to eat, "said Peter Onyango Okola, a 69 year old farmer, to reporters. In the past, due to the lack of irrigation facilities, it was difficult to store water downstream during the rainy season because the upstream terrain was high and the water flowed quickly, and there was no water available during the dry season.

The irrigation and flood control project for the lower reaches of the Enzoya River, undertaken by China Electric Power Construction Municipal Construction Group Co., Ltd., has effectively alleviated the local water shortage. This is currently the largest irrigation facility in Kenya, including 111 kilometers of main and branch irrigation channels, 71 kilometers of drainage channels, 736 kilometers of field irrigation channels, and 37 kilometers of flood control embankments. In April 2024, the main body of the project was completed, benefiting over 12000 farmers and providing guarantees for local agricultural development.

In September 2024, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in poverty reduction and agricultural benefits. The "Promoting Agriculture and Benefiting the People Partnership Action" in the "Ten Major Partnership Actions" of China and Africa includes the construction of a 100000 acre agricultural standardization demonstration zone, the dispatch of 500 agricultural experts, and the establishment of the China Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance. Through infrastructure construction, advanced agricultural technology transfer and other projects, China Kenya agricultural cooperation is flourishing, helping Kenya's agricultural modernization steadily advance.

Walking into the greenhouse of Muwala, the chairman of the Tomato Planting Association in Nakuru County, Kenya, one can see lush greenery everywhere, with grafted tomato seedlings hanging with fruits and thriving growth. Tomatoes are an important vegetable variety in Kenya. In recent years, tomato production in Kenya has been severely reduced due to pests and diseases, with some areas even experiencing crop failure. Nanjing Agricultural University in China and Egerton University in Kenya have collaborated to demonstrate and promote Chinese tomato grafting technology in Nakuru County.

Grafted tomato seedlings have high yield, good quality, and stronger disease resistance, "Muwala told reporters. It is estimated that this technology can reduce the incidence rate of tomato bacterial wilt from 90% to less than 10%, increase the yield from near failure to 5000 to 6000 kilograms per mu, and increase the income by about 100000 Kenyan shillings (about 5640 yuan) per mu. The farmers who participated in the demonstration planting have tasted the sweetness, and more and more farmers are consulting about the situation. Chinese agricultural technology is leading us out of poverty and into prosperity, "said Muwala.

Assist Kenya in cultivating local composite talents

Before 9am, 34 year old Joseph Enjiane arrived at the training center of China Road and Bridge Africa Star Railway Operation Co., Ltd., opened his computer, logged into the platform, and prepared for class. Enjiane participated in the "Kenyan Employee Online Training" project of the Mombasa Nairobi Railway. The project lasts for 3 months and involves 78 courses in the five major railway disciplines of "Vehicle, Machinery, Engineering, Electricity, and Rolling Stock", benefiting nearly 800 Kenyan employees of the company. This training has allowed me to accumulate more knowledge of railway operations and enhance my work confidence, "said Enjiane.

Over the past 7 years, the construction and operation of the Mombasa Nairobi Railway have directly and indirectly created more than 74000 job opportunities for Kenya, trained over 2800 high-quality railway professionals and management talents, and all standard gauge railway trains from Nairobi to Susuwa have been independently driven by Kenyan drivers. The Mombasa Nairobi Railway not only contributes to the economic revitalization of Kenya, but also cultivates a railway operation team that cannot be taken away, "said Philip Mahenga, General Manager of Kenya Railways.

China and Kenya will continue to strengthen cooperation in education and training capacity building, fully utilize various platforms built by enterprises, universities, research institutions, etc. to cultivate talents, and use talent dividends to support local modernization development.

Hello teacher! "At 4 pm, 49 year old Gabriel Weil boarded the video conferencing software on time and greeted the teacher in Chinese.

Recently, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi tailored a "Chinese+Textile" training course for 52 employees of Chinese enterprise Tuochen Clothing Kenya Limited. Weil, the human resources and administrative manager of the company, said that with more and more Chinese enterprises entering Kenya, the demand for "Chinese+" courses continues to grow. Relevant training not only includes basic Chinese, but also industry knowledge, which can create more opportunities for future career development.

In recent years, Confucius Institutes at Kenyan universities such as the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Egerton University, and Moi University have responded to the needs of enterprises and the job market by actively promoting "Chinese+vocational skills" education, and related courses have been very popular, including "Chinese+Textile", "Chinese+Engineering", "Chinese+Tourism", "Chinese+Agriculture", and "Chinese+Fashion Design". This not only promotes cross-cultural exchange, but also provides important support for students' career development, helping Kenya cultivate local composite talents, "said John Olindi, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the University of Nairobi.

Kenyan international scholar Kavins Adhir said that talent is the key support for modernization. Kenya and China have strengthened talent cultivation in fields such as economy, trade, and scientific research, which not only promotes mutual exchange and understanding, but also provides intellectual support for Kenya's sustainable development

(Nairobi, April 28th)