Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, has issued a sharp rebuke against Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi, dismissing the legislator’s claims about secretive loan negotiations between Kenya and China as irresponsible and baseless.
The dispute erupted publicly on social media on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, after Amisi claimed that the government had sought a loan from China using the country’s mineral-rich lands in Taita Taveta as collateral — and that Beijing had rejected the request.
“Reports reaching me is that China has rejected the attempt by the UDA government to borrow more money from China using Taita Taveta mineral fields as collateral. If proven to be true ,this is an unacceptable move. Let us live within our means. Let’s avoid committing any single asset of the Republic of Kenya in quest to fund our misplaced priorities and grandiose spending. Kenya must have a renaissance!” Amisi wrote on X on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
The post, which quickly gained traction online, prompted an immediate and pointed response from Sing’oei, who took issue not just with the substance of Amisi’s claims but with their source.
“Very irresponsible, baseless and misguided assertion from a member of the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee,” Sing’oei wrote in his rebuttal, also posted to X.
Rising tensions over foreign debt
The exchange lays bare deepening political divisions over Kenya’s foreign borrowing policies, particularly in light of mounting national debt and increasing scrutiny over the government’s financial relationship with China — one of Kenya’s largest bilateral lenders.
While no official statement has been released by the Chinese government or Kenya’s Ministry of Finance regarding the said loan request, Amisi’s claim has fueled speculation about the terms of recent or upcoming agreements, especially involving strategic national assets.
Kenya has in the past turned to China for major infrastructure projects, including the controversial Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which was financed by Beijing to the tune of billions of dollars.
Critics have warned of a potential debt trap, while government officials have continued to defend the loans as necessary for development.
Amisi, a vocal opposition MP and member of the National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, has frequently challenged the Ruto administration’s fiscal decisions.
His latest remarks, however, appear to have struck a nerve at the highest levels of the diplomatic establishment.
Sing’oei, known for his careful diplomacy, rarely engages in public political spats.
His decision to call out Amisi directly reflects growing frustration within government ranks over what officials perceive as misinformation campaigns that could undermine Kenya’s international standing.
The dispute could have broader implications for parliamentary oversight on foreign borrowing and may trigger renewed calls for transparency on the terms of Kenya’s engagements with China.
No official confirmation
As of publishing this article, neither the State Department for Trade nor the Ministry of Finance had commented on whether any mineral assets had been pledged or discussed in recent negotiations with China.
This is not the first time questions have been raised about the security of Kenya’s assets in dealings with foreign lenders.
Previous agreements, including the SGR contract, have sparked controversy over transparency clauses and claims of sovereignty risks.
For now, Sing’oei’s firm dismissal of Amisi’s claim appears aimed at stemming panic, both domestically and abroad.
But with no clear confirmation or denial of ongoing talks with China, the matter is likely to remain a political flashpoint in the days to come.
Martin Oduor
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