Kenya has struck a preliminary trade agreement with China that allows 98.2% of its export goods duty-free market access, its trade ministry said on Thursday, adding the two sides had been holding discussions in search of a full bilateral trade deal.

The East African nation has been forging closer ties with China, with President William Ruto making a state visit to Beijing last year, where a number of financing and cooperation agreements were signed.

"We have initiated discussion with China to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement," Kenya's trade ministry said in a statement, disclosing the talks for the first time. "These engagements have resulted in a preliminary agreement."

Ruto has defended the rapprochement with China against criticism from some US officials, saying Kenya has to export more goods to the Asian economy to close a trade gap heavily tilted in Beijing's favour.