Kenyan president hails Chinese-built infrastructure

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday commended the Chinese-built Nairobi Expressway as a key infrastructure project, vowing to continue working with China to improve its infrastructure networks.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the 27.1-kilometer expressway on Thursday, Kenyatta said China remains Kenya's key development partner. The expressway is being constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation.

"We are very grateful to the Chinese government and people for the support that they continue to render not only to our country, but to the rest of Africa," he said.

Kenyatta also said the partnership between the two sides is mutually beneficial and based on win-win.

"A lot of people have told us that our relationship with China is not beneficial. For those who say that, I request them to come and see a project like the Nairobi Expressway. Let them come and see the projects and programs that have eased life for Kenyans," Kenyatta said.

He said Kenya has undertaken key major projects in partnership with China, like the Lamu Port and the Kipevu Oil Terminal, which is expected to reduce the cost of petroleum.

The $353.4 million oil terminal is being constructed by the China Communications Construction Company. It is expected to increase Kenya's petroleum handling and storage by about 400 percent.

"Infrastructure is key if we ultimately want to become an industrialized nation," Kenyatta said.

He said the government has developed over 420 km of link roads within Nairobi city, including those in informal settlements to help ease transport for residents, as well as improve drainage and sewage.

The ongoing projects have created job opportunities for Kenyans, and the Nairobi Expressway alone directly employed over 6,000 people. This is in addition to engaging 200 subcontractors that also created further job opportunities.

Once it is complete, the eight-lane elevated dual carriageway Nairobi Expressway is expected to significantly decongest the Mombasa Road and reduce travel time between Mlolongo and Westlands to 20 minutes.

Paul Maringa, the principal secretary for infrastructure, said last week that the partnership between Kenya and China is accelerating, with the number of Chinese companies in the east African country expected to increase from the current 400 to 1,000 in the next 10 years.

"We are involved in an engagement of technology transfer, where we are training Kenyans to be more productive to join the mainstream of development," Maringa said.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn