Kisumu County Government has officially entered into a sister city partnership with Yiyang City in China, signalling a new chapter of cooperation between the two cities.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo held in Changsha, Hunan Province on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

According to Kisumu Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, the pact aims to promote mutual development through collaboration in key areas such as science and technology, education, health, sports, and cultural exchange.

“Kisumu has officially signed a sister city agreement with Yiyang City, China, marking a significant step to boost friendly cooperation and mutual growth between our two cities,” Governor Nyong’o stated in a post on his X official account.

The agreement was signed by Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga and Xiong Wei, Mayor of the People’s Government of Yiyang City, during the recently concluded expo that brought together leaders, business stakeholders, and policymakers from across Africa and China.

Governor Nyong’o emphasized that the partnership was not just symbolic but grounded in mutual benefit and shared values.

“This partnership is set to foster mutual exchanges and economic collaboration based on equality and shared benefit,” he said, adding, “We anticipate active cooperation across various crucial sectors, including science and technology, culture, sports, health, education, and talent development.”

The development follows a longstanding engagement between Kisumu and Hunan Province. Governor Nyong’o revealed that the agreement marks the culmination of discussions that began five years ago.

“This landmark agreement is the culmination of an initiative that began back in 2019 when I had the privilege of leading a Kisumu delegation to Hunan Province,” he noted.

The county government also acknowledged the support of key players who helped facilitate the deal.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Yiyang Municipal Committee of the CPC, led by Secretary Chen Jing, and Hunan Kenya Business Chamber Chairman, Aaron Chen, for their instrumental roles in making this partnership a reality,” the Governor wrote.

The city of Yiyang

Yiyang’s economy is driven by agriculture, particularly the production of grains, cotton, and ramie, with the city earning the nickname “Land of Fish and Rice”. 

It also has a strong tradition of bamboo and wood-based handicrafts. More recently, industrial activities have grown, including linen fabric production, paper manufacturing, and food processing. 

While the full scope of the partnership’s implementation is yet to be disclosed, the agreement positions Kisumu to benefit from increased international collaboration, particularly in infrastructure development, trade, and educational exchanges.

The city of Yiyang, located in central China’s Hunan Province, is known for its manufacturing and industrial base. The deal could open doors for business linkages between firms in the two cities, as well as skills transfer and investment in urban infrastructure.

The Kisumu County Government has in recent years pursued various international partnerships, including ties with other African and European cities, as part of its broader goal to position the lakeside city as a hub for innovation and regional trade.

Nyongo said as the collaboration takes root, both Kisumu and Yiyang are expected to draft joint action plans to operationalize the agreement and track outcomes of the sister city relationship.

Kisumu has officially signed a sister city agreement with Yiyang City, China, marking a significant step to boost friendly cooperation and mutual growth between our two cities.

The agreement was formalized by our City Manager, Abala Wanga, and Mr. Xiong Wei, Mayor of the… pic.twitter.com/plj4OGiTCX

— Gov. Anyang' Nyong'o (@AnyangNyongo) June 19, 2025