As the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges gets underway, Afristar hosted a festive Chinese New Year celebration marking the Year of the Horse.

More than 100 guests gathered for the occasion, including representatives from Kenya Railways, Afristar General Manager Mo Kun and company employees, Kenyan student representatives, as well as partner NGOs involved in Afristar's CSR programs and beneficiaries.

Blending cultural experiences with heartfelt exchanges, the event served as a vivid example of China–Kenya cultural interaction and set the tone for the broader China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

The venue was decorated with festive lanterns and traditional elements, creating an atmosphere that seamlessly combined the joy of the Chinese Spring Festival with the vibrant cultural spirit of Kenya.

The celebration began with a lively cultural fair featuring eight interactive booths. Guests were invited to try their hand at writing Spring Festival couplets, paper cutting, making traditional fish lanterns and decorative flowers, as well as preparing dumplings—offering an immersive experience of Chinese culture.

The festivities continued with a Spring Festival gala, where Chinese and Kenyan participants shared performances and laughter, further deepening mutual understanding and friendship.

Adhere Cavince, a China-Africa relations expert, noted that Afristar has long promoted cultural exchange between the two countries in ways aligned with Kenya's national development priorities. He added that the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway stands as a landmark project demonstrating the spirit of win-win cooperation between China and Kenya.