Luo Duoduo, a teacher at the institute and Millicent's instructor, said more Kenyan students are developing a genuine interest in Chinese poetry, music, and entertainment. "Sometimes when they mention a Chinese celebrity, I even have to look them up myself," she said.

Luo said that beyond cultural interests, an increasing number of Chinese enterprises in Kenya are offering job opportunities to students who study Chinese, which makes the language both practical and enjoyable to learn.

Qiu Letao contributed to this story.