Kenya has secured trade and infrastructure financing deals with China, but rising debt and US competition complicate deeper ties. Analysts caution that the 'early harvest' Economic Partnership Agreement will benefit Kenyan products such as tea and coffee.

Nairobi has secured trade and infrastructure financing deals during Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng’s visit, but analysts cautioned that deepening ties were complicated by rising debt and Nairobi’s balancing act between global powers. The “early harvest” Economic Partnership Agreement grants Kenyan products – including tea, coffee and avocados – duty-free and quota-free access to the Chinese market starting in May. President William Ruto hailed the deal, alongside new memorandums of...