The Role of Chinese Foreign Policy in Africa’s Economic Development: A Case Study of Kenya (2003-2018)

China has over the last few years pursued stronger economic and diplomatic relations with African states. This has largely been fuelled by its extraordinary economic growth, which has led to domestic demand for resources and the search for profitable markets and investment outlets. As Kenya became a key focus for China’s trade and economic strategy in Africa, this research sought to examine China’s Foreign policy approach and its bilateral relations with Kenya. The rationale behind this study was that China’s increased engagement with Kenya was changing with opportunities and emerging challenges. The main objective of the study was to examine whether Chinese foreign policy had fostered or hindered economic development in Africa using Kenya as a case study. The study also sought to establish the nature of China-Kenya relations with regard to the political regimes between 2003-2018.This study applied both qualitative and quantitative approach to research using secondary and primary data. The research established that through trade, investment and foreign direct investment, bilateral relations with China had made Kenya one of Africa’s biggest economy. With that, the Sino-Kenya relations as complex as it is, had brought about both positive and negative impact on Kenya’s economic development. The study recommends that the Kenyan government should curb its appetite for Chinese commercial loans and seek fair trade with China to make Sino-Kenya relations mutually beneficial as it will therefore allow for further economic development of Kenya.