Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said he would leverage his diplomatic experience and long-standing international relationships to help address Kenya’s growing public debt, including engaging directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping should he be elected president.

Speaking during a morning television interview on Monday, August 10, 2026, Kalonzo outlined what he described as a different approach to managing the country’s debt burden, which currently stands at approximately KSh12.8 trillion. He argued that direct engagement with key creditors would be essential in restructuring or managing Kenya’s financial obligations.

According to Kalonzo, his previous service as Kenya’s Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs enabled him to establish relationships with world leaders that could prove beneficial in future negotiations.

“Talk to President Xi Jinping. When I was Vice President, I met up with him. And he actually said, the only time I come to Kenya is when you are the president,” Kalonzo said during the interview.

The Wiper leader cited the encounter to illustrate what he believes is his ability to engage international partners at the highest level. However, the statement regarding President Xi’s remarks reflects Kalonzo’s account of their meeting and has not been independently confirmed by the Chinese government or Chinese state media.

Kalonzo said Kenya’s debt challenge cannot be resolved through continued borrowing alone but requires deliberate negotiations with lenders alongside prudent economic management. He argued that a future administration under his leadership would prioritize discussions with bilateral and multilateral creditors to secure terms that support the country’s economic recovery while easing pressure on public finances.

China remains one of Kenya’s largest bilateral lenders, having financed major infrastructure projects including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), road networks and energy projects over the past decade. As a result, any discussions on debt restructuring or repayment would likely involve engagement with Chinese authorities alongside other international creditors.

The remarks come as Kenya continues to face growing scrutiny over its rising public debt and the cost of servicing external loans. Successive governments have maintained that borrowed funds have supported critical infrastructure development, while critics have called for stronger fiscal discipline and reduced reliance on external financing.

Kalonzo has consistently identified economic recovery and debt management as central themes of his 2027 presidential agenda. In recent months, he has repeatedly stated his intention to contest the presidency, saying Kenya requires a new approach to managing the economy and restoring public confidence in government finances.

While Kalonzo maintains that his diplomatic relationships would strengthen Kenya’s position in negotiations with international lenders, any future debt restructuring would ultimately depend on formal agreements between the Kenyan government and its creditors, in line with international financial and diplomatic processes.