Chinese President Xi Jinping, at a summit in Beijing, announced that his country will work on preparingĀ a massive budget for the world’s most ambitious infrastructure project most especially in Kenya.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia reiterated thatĀ he looks out at the Beijing skyline and says, “in five years this will be us.”
“In the next 20 days we shall be launching the largest ever infrastructure project in Africa of the last 100 years and 18 months ahead of schedule at that,” Macharia stated.
He added that aĀ badge of honourthat had earned Kenya a seat at the table – one of only two African seats – of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China; a coming together intended to improve trade and relations through infrastructure development, the rebuilding of a modern day ‘silk road’.
“After we did the Eastern bypass, those of you who have used it are aware that it’s already clogged up. There are jams day in, day out. We shall be requesting for the dualing of that bypass from Embakassi to Ruiru as part of the asks in our visit here. We shall also be requesting for the dualing of the Northern bypass which comes from Ruiru to Ruaka,” he added.
He also noted thatĀ the bargain would make Kenya to emerge the greater beneficiary given decades of, “misery,” arising from the absence of a proper road network. He believes with symbiotic strategies put in place already, the project would not only aid the boost and rapidly spring up the economic status of China, but it would also empower and create job opportunities for Kenya and its populace.
“China Exim bank will of course make a small profit from the loan as will the Chinese companies contracted to do the work but Kenyans will reap the most.”
Local contractors, Macharia said, lack the capacity to solely undertake projects of such a massive scale but who could benefit from partnering and learning from their more experienced Chinese counterparts.
“You have to walk before you can run,” he said.
MachariaĀ finally disclosed that aĀ cable car connecting the North and South Coast would also be commissioned in a few weeks time and ready 14 months after that with the aim of easing the strain on the ferry crossing system by carrying 300,000 passengers across daily.
Report gathered by our correspondent obviously shows that over 90% of Kenyans are very excited with this new partnership development.
