Socio-economic factors influencing Kenya-China relations

Abstract

The Sino-Kenya relation dates back to 14th December 1963, when China opened her embassy in Nairobi. However, after 1965, the Sino-Kenya relation was lowered to the level of agency diplomacy when Kenya declared the Chinese charge’d’ affaires persona non grata. In response China expelled the Kenya charge’d’ affaires but towards the end of 1970s normal diplomatic relation were restored. Moreover, during the Cold War period (1963-1991), Kenya was more pro-western bloc and received minimal aid from China. Thus the recent upward escalation of relations calls for interrogation and this study sought to fill the explanatory gap. The study therefore sought to find out the socio-economic factors influencing Kenya-China relations. It was guided by the following objectives; to analyse the nature of Kenya -China relations since independence, to assess the social-economic factors influencing Kenya -China relations and to examine the challenges facing Kenya -China relations. The study employed liberalism theory. To achieve its objectives the study adopted an explanatory case study research and it relied on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained through informant interviews who were sampled through purposive sampling technique forming a sample of six participants. Secondary data was obtained through library research. The research method was qualitative. So as to reduce information to a more limited set of attributes, content analysis was done. The research findings were presented in narrative and themes form. The study found out that Kenya’s presidents in the past five decades have reacted differently to international geo-political situations and these affected Kenya-China relations. Social factors influencing Kenya-China relations discussed are the non-interference policy, education, tourism while the economic ones are no strings attached policy, mutual economic policy, affordability of Chinese goods, infrastructural investment and foreign aid. In analysing social-economic factors influencing Kenya-China relations, the study found out that economic factors outweigh social factors in the factors influencing the relationship. The Kenyan governments look to China to contribute to their economic development through aid, investment, infrastructure development and trade. Kenya can aspire to replicate China's rapid economic development as this can help the country in lifting itself out of poverty. The study also highlights that although mutual economic benefit is an economic factor influencing Kenya-China relations; mutual economic benefit cannot exist between two countries with different economies as the stronger economy stands to benefit more from the relationship. Therefore for Kenya-China the relation can be explained in terms of mutual advantage and not mutual benefit. The challenges facing Kenya-China relations were also discussed in the study where it’s argued that the relation can be interpreted as the re-emergence of European colonization, in which Kenya serves as a cheap source of raw materials, a lucrative export market for Chinese manufactured goods, and an outlet for its surplus capital. Rather than a development partner, China is seen as Kenya’s biggest development competitor, whose explosive growth and insatiable quest for global markets threatens Kenya’s industrialisation and competitiveness. Key recommendations of the study are that although China is an important economic and social partner to Kenya there is need to put in place measures to guarantee balance of trade between the two countries. Kenya must take a critical review, audit and examination of its principal relationship with China and what it portrays for Chinese influence and footprint in the country. Kenya-China relations have a lot to be studied and this will help understand future Kenya’s foreign policy trends. The study suggests that further research should be done in the following areas; political factors, cultural factors, scientific research and technology transfer.