China retained its position as Kenya's primary supplier in 2018, with imports from the Asian nation reaching $3.72 billion (KSh372 billion) compared to $2.36 billion (KSh236 billion) from the entire African continent during the same period.
Despite this dominance, Chinese imports into Kenya fell 4.7% year-on-year between fiscal 2017 and 2018. Officials attributed the decline to reduced procurement of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) equipment, a key component of Kenya's infrastructure projects.
Kenyan exports to China dropped 38.5% to $75 million (KSh0.75 billion) in 2018, contradicting a bilateral agreement aimed at boosting trade between the two nations. Meanwhile, East African Community (EAC) imports into Kenya surged 134% to $970 million (KSh96.9 billion) from $420 million (KSh41.7 billion) in 2017, signaling strengthened regional trade ties.
Kenyan exports to the EAC rose 6% to $1.28 billion (KSh128 billion), though this represented a 0.8% decline from 2017 levels. The overall trade picture revealed shifting priorities as Kenya balanced its relationship with China against growing regional economic integration.
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