Chinese investors have arrived in Uasin Gishu County to scout some of the county’s biggest projects, with government officials hoping the six-day mission will translate into concrete investment partnerships in President William Ruto’s home county ahead of his official visit later this year.

The North Rift county is stepping up its push for Chinese investment and new export markets as the county races to position Eldoret City as a regional commercial and industrial hub.

A high-level delegation of Chinese development firms arrived in Eldoret on Sunday and on Monday toured several priority projects across the county as the administration seeks to fast-track multi-billion-shilling flagship developments and attract international capital.

The investment drive comes as Eldoret prepares to host the 2026 Mashujaa Day national celebrations, placing Kenya’s newest city in the national spotlight and providing the county with an opportunity to showcase its infrastructure, industrial potential, tourism assets and agribusiness opportunities.

A dumpsite at Kipkenyo in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County during a visit by a delegation from various companies in China on August 10, 2026,

Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group

Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea described the emerging partnership with Chinese industry players as a potential gamechanger for the county and the wider North Rift region.

“This strategic collaboration with key Chinese industry leaders comes at a pivotal moment as we prepare to showcase Eldoret to the nation and the world. By aligning our development priorities with global technical expertise, we are not only building infrastructure but opening up seamless market linkages that will spur socio-economic growth, empower our local workforce, and position Uasin Gishu as an industrial powerhouse,” said Mr Kapkea.

The Chinese delegation was led by Gao Peng, Deputy General Manager of the Smart Energy Division at Wiscom System.

Mr Peng and his technical team conducted inspection covering the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Cherunya, the Kipkenyo dumpsite and municipal sewage treatment site, Huruma Sub-County Hospital and the Mama Rachel Ruto Maternity Hospital, among other priority infrastructure installations identified for potential collaborative funding and technological upgrades.

"Immense economic potential"

The delegation’s assessment comes as the county seeks Chinese expertise and investment in areas ranging from waste management and renewable energy to industrial manufacturing and municipal infrastructure.

“We have conducted a thorough site assessment of the county’s priority infrastructure, and we are deeply impressed by the immense economic potential and strategic vision of Uasin Gishu. Chinese companies are eager to establish robust, long-term partnerships with the county, particularly in modern waste-to-energy management, advanced industrial manufacturing, renewable energy systems, and sustainable municipal infrastructure,” said Mr Peng.

The county is also seeking to turn a series of high-profile international and national events into an economic catalyst, with officials arguing that the influx of visitors can help expose Uasin Gishu’s tourism, trade and investment opportunities.

Uasin Gishu County Cooperatives and Tourism Executive Dr Philip Chebunet, said the county was expanding its hospitality and trade footprint as Eldoret prepares to host World Tourism Day celebrations, which will complement projects expected to be commissioned by the Head of State.

“Our partnership with international investors extends beyond heavy infrastructureit is fundamentally about positioning Uasin Gishu as a competitive regional hub for trade, culture, and eco-tourism. The projects slated for presidential commissioning during the World Tourism Day and Mashujaa Day festivities will showcase the best of what our county has to offer, opening up our rich heritage and agribusiness potential to international buyers and investors,” said Dr Chebunet.

He said the national celebrations would provide a strategic platform to expose the county’s lesser-known tourism attractions to both international and domestic visitors.

“These high-profile national and global events present an unprecedented opportunity to open up our untapped tourism circuits, attract continuous capital flow, and create lasting economic value for our local co-operatives and business communities,” added Dr Chebunet.

Chinese delegates and Uasin Gishu County officials during a tour of Eldoret Economic Processing Zone which is under construction at Cherunya on August 10, 2026. They seek to partner in manufacturing, waste management, infrastructure energy, among other sectors.

Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation

The investment push also coincides with efforts to transform Eldoret’s urban infrastructure and strengthen its capacity to host major national events.

Eldoret City Board Chairperson Alice Kositany said the planned infrastructure improvements and green-city initiatives would accelerate the transformation of the newly designated city.

“As the newest city in the country, Eldoret is undergoing a deliberate and dynamic facelift through rigorous infrastructure facelift,” said Ms Kositany.

“We are fully committed to elevating our municipal infrastructure to international standards, enriching our urban landscape, and creating a vibrant, secure environment that will attract eco-tourism, boost retail commerce, and comfortably accommodate the thousands of delegates visiting for Mashujaa Day and beyond,” she said.

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tominde@ke.nationmedia.com