Michael Munyao, the chief executive of Electrogen Technologies International Ltd, a company specializing in security equipment, said China being a global manufacturing hub, cannot be ignored.
The Kenyan business community has greatly benefited from importing from China, he said, saying that pricing has been an important factor.
He added that most of the manufacturers from China have branches in Kenya hence customers are assured of after-sales service.
He said visits to Chinese factories have given Kenyan businesspeople a chance to learn about the products as well as the manufacturing process.
He, however, expressed the need for Kenyan and Chinese businesspeople and manufacturers to engage beyond the current buy-and-sell relationship. China and Kenya are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship, and Munyao believes the business communities between the two countries are moving toward new spheres.
“We need to have a conversation on how we can partner and start manufacturing some products here in Kenya. We have a bigger market and the products can be sold in the East African region,” Munyao said.
He said goods take 28 days from China to Kenya and the shipping cost is very expensive; challenges could be solved by manufacturing locally.
Munyao, who is also the chairman of the China-Africa Friendship Association Kenya Chapter, urged Kenya and China to work on improving people-to-people relationships going forward, as well as diversify their cooperation by focusing more on infrastructure development
