The Impact of China – Africa Relations on Kenyan Governance from 2000 to 2007

China's growing interest in African has drawn extravagant attention since the early 2000s. Although African governments generally regard China Africa economic relations positively by African governments, the impact of deepening economic relations on the governance of African states remains unclear. In recent times, the influence of growing economic interdependence between Africa and China has also raised the question of China’s putative non-interference in domestic affairs of African states. This study examined the impact of China-Africa economic relations on Kenya’s governance. The findings show that Chinese Foreign Direct investment (FDI) is slowly edging out Western FDI. Although less manifest than Western influence, this growing Chinese economic influence in Kenya seems to be associated with less transparency in economic governance (international contracts) as well as diminished press freedom and civil and political rights. As such, Chinese economic dominance is also likely to increase China’s influence in governance.