Editor's Review

The Kenya and Chinese delegations held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss various projects between the two countries.

President William Ruto held talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Tuesday, September, 3 barely a day after he landed in Beijing.

In an update by State House Spokesman Hussein Mohamed, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension from Naivasha through Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Brazzaville featured in the discussion. 

According to Hussein, President Ruto also pushed for the construction of the Rironi-Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba dual carriageway on the ground that would make it easier for people and goods to move in and out of western Kenya.

Additionally, they talked about expanding the Muthaiga-Kiambu road to ease traffic in Nairobi.

The two Heads of state assessed ongoing projects in Nairobi, such as the Integrated Transport System, the equipping of technical & vocational education & training colleges (TVETs), the construction of Bosto Dam, and the dualling of the Northern Bypass.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other key leaders during a meeting with the Kenya delegation.

They also focused on the LAPSSET corridor, particularly the Lamu-Garissa-Isiolo road, which is expected to attract more investment to Kenya’s northern regions. 

President Ruto expressed gratitude to China for its Kshs34 billion support which will fund the construction of roads. 

On the other hand, Kenya officially joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as a fully paid member.

“The membership will enable Kenya to access concessional funding for infrastructure, climate change efforts, connectivity, regional cooperation, and technology-enabled projects and programs,” the Head of State said.

The President also met with the leadership of the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), led by Chairman Wang Tongzhou, and discussed key projects including the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway, the Galana-Kulalu Irrigation Project, the Bomas International Conference Centre, and the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway into the region.

President arrived in Beijing on Monday, September 2, for the China-Africa Cooperation Summit.

The Head of State is accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. A section of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal secretaries are part of Ruto’s entourage.