International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue X, October 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

China-Kenya Relations: An Analysis of Its Nature since Independence

Lilian Tunai Mulati

Department of International Relations, Conflict and Strategic Studies, Kenyatta University, Kenya

Abstract: – The study explored China- Kenya relations with a view of examining what defines this relationship trailing it from independence. The study used other African countries such as Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Angola as cases of illustration to ground the papers’ argument. The study sought to realize the following objective: To analyze the nature of China-Kenya relations since independence. To achieve this objective, the study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained using interview guides while secondary data was obtained from library research which was subjected to critical textual analysis and interpretation to test the relevance and accuracy of the document for the purpose of the study. The obtained qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study sought to find out if we could theoretically situate China-Kenya relation among the trend that has defined the relationship between China and other African countries. Thus two variables were analyzed; foreign aid and human rights. The study adopted the Rational Choice theory to explain the Sino Kenyan relations. The study found out that China-Kenya relation since independence has been defined by prevailing global political trends. The study concludes that what is engineering the relations between the two countries partly are pull factors (attractive conditions) and the main pull factor is China’s no strings attached policy. Although the study highlights the importance of China to Kenya as an important economic partner, it proposes the need to put in place measures to guarantee transparency in dealings between the two countries.

Key words: China-Kenya relations, independence

I. INTRODUCTION

A survey of a number of countries in Africa shows that China tends to give aid to rogue countries. For instance, Angola is an autocratically ruled state that is corrupt, inefficient with persistent poverty (Rothberg &Gisselquist, 2007). Angola also has enormous oil reserves, producing as much annually as Kuwait (Mouwad, 2007). Human Rights Watch (2004) reported that in a five-year period, $4.2 billion worth of oil revenues were siphoned off of Angola’s public accounts. This amount to 10 percent of GDP in a country where most people live on less than $2 day (World Bank Report NO: 353362-AO, 2004). Due to this, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2004 attached transparency requirement measures to loans given to Angola for post-war reconstruction efforts.