A construction site of a railway line contracted to a Chinese company is pictured in this undated photo. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

China has surpassed India to become the largest trading partner of Kenya.

Official stats show that bilateral trade between China and Kenya reached over 5 billion U.S. dollars from January to November of last year, up 20 percent year on year.

Mechanical-electrical equipment and light industrial products topped the imports to Kenya, while the country mainly exported products of leather, minerals and plant fiber.

Kenya is also a key market for Chinese contractors.

Over half of its construction projects saw the presence of Chinese companies, mainly in the areas of railway, ports and power.