How some MPs planned to 'bomb' Ruto's China visit

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has revealed that a group of Kenyan lawmakers attempted to organise a parallel visit to Taiwan during President William Ruto’s state visit to China last week, despite the sensitive territorial dispute between the two Asian countries.

Appearing before the Senate Security and Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, April 29, Mudavadi criticised the lawmakers’ plan as “unpatriotic,” saying it would have amounted to a serious diplomatic blunder.

Mudavadi said the proposed visit, which was ultimately aborted, appeared aimed at undermining Kenya’s efforts to deepen ties with China—a major development partner.

“We know, there were some people who were pushing to have a delegation from Parliament to go to Taiwan when the President of Kenya is visiting China for a State visit. It could have cost the country a lot,” said the CS.

“There were some who did not want the government to achieve anything in the visit. Today, once the agreed projects are in place we will have an SGR to the border of Uganda at Malaba, and a dual road to same destination, this will spur economic growth in the regions of Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western,” he added.

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Mudavadi was responding to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who had sought clarity on Kenya’s stance on long-standing global territorial conflicts, including China-Taiwan and Israel-Palestine.

“What is the guiding star for us as a country when we get involved in taking sides in those long-standing conflicts for independence of certain countries?” Sifuna posed.

During his visit, Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s support for the ‘One China Principle’ which asserts that Taiwan is part of China and not a sovereign state.

Last week, China accorded Ruto full state honors, including a 21-gun salute, as the two countries signed investment agreements worth an estimated Sh137 billion. They also announced the elevation of their relationship to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the New Era.’ The practical implications of the upgrade however, remain unclear.

China’s insistence on the ‘One China Principle’ has long been a cornerstone of its foreign policy. Nearly all African countries, including Kenya, have adhered to the principle in exchange for diplomatic and economic relations.

Taiwan, which rejects China’s claim, remains largely isolated on the international stage.

The United Nations and the United States recognise the People’s Republic of China as the legal representative of the Chinese people. However, the US maintains a separate “One China Policy” which allows it to engage with Taiwan on trade, security, and human rights.

According to Mudavadi, Kenya supports the One China Principle, backs a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and continues to advocate for dialogue in resolving the Russia-Ukraine war.