Additional product lines the company aims at marketing are SUV's and pickups. Sun revealed that the company is targeting government procurement that is increasingly preferring local manufacturers. The government of Tanzania procured at least 110 SUVs from the company last year.

Guo Ce, the economic and commercial counselor for the Chinese embassy in Kenya, noted that Chinese manufacturers will inject vitality into regional economic growth.

"As the East African countries unroll their development plans, I believe that Foton Motor Kenya, among other Chinese companies, will continuously provide good products and service, so as to make more contribution to the construction and development of this region," Guo said.

The latest statistics indicate that from January to October last year, China invested $400 million in Kenya, making it the top destination in Africa for Chinese investment.

For its part, the government pledged to continuously review its investment climate to ensure investors maximize their return on investments.