The Chinese giant aims to strengthen its security footprint in East Africa, pushing Kenya to sign a police cooperation agreement, officially to protect its companies, its workers, and, more broadly, its investments and infrastructure projects.
Through this collaboration, the Asians also seek a broader strategic influence that takes root in terms of roads, highways, stadiums, and major projects.
With its Global Security Initiative launched in 2022, Beijing has opted for the fight against terrorism, cross-border crime, and money laundering.
In concrete terms, this involves securing the major projects undertaken by Chinese state-owned groups, which have become central to the development of Kenyan infrastructure and to its economic presence in East Africa.
The Chinese interest lies in developing lasting security partnerships abroad, such as training local forces, exchanging intelligence, or police coordination, and sometimes even military cooperation.
On the other hand, the stakes are also political, by diversifying security alliances that have long been dominated by the United States and the United Kingdom.
In this regard, China is no longer financing development alone; it is also positioning itself as a security actor – and an influencer – on the African continent.
