Kenya and China are now close to sealing the deal on the extension of SGR, Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway following talks in Beijing, China.
The protracted project negotiations were revisited in the bilateral talks between President William Ruto and President Xi Jinping, and subsequently with the leadership of the China Communications Construction Company led by Chairman Wang Tongzhou on Tuesday, September 3.
President Ruto said the huge infrastructure demand in Africa calls for stronger collaboration with the private sector to unlock the continent’s potential in mineral resources, renewable energy and agriculture.
“In Kenya, we have established a robust institutional framework supported by incentives and a return on investment…Discussed various projects such as the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway, Galana-Kulalu Irrigation Project, Bomas International Conference Centre and the expansion of the SGR into the region,” President Ruto said on X.
Ahead of the trip to Beijing for FOCAC 2024, State House said President Ruto’s priorities would be agreements on support of infrastructure projects.
And in the talks with President Xi President Ruto on Monday, Ruto said they had agreed to discuss regional infrastructure projects such as the expansion of SGR, and the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway.
The Chinese side noted that the two states have jointly undertaken a large number of flagship connectivity projects, which have become strong drivers of local economic and social development, and delivered tangibly for the people in both countries.
“China is ready to explore with Kenya more ways to form synergy between the two countries’ development strategies, and further elevate the China-Kenya comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,” Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said on Monday.
FRENCH LOSING DEAL
The Sh160 billion road expansion was among the projects left pending by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, which would have seen French firms finance and build the 232km highways from just outside Nairobi in Rironi, Kiambu county, to Mau Summit through Nakuru. It had initially been awarded to a French VINCI Consortium [Vinci Highways SAS, Meridian Infrastructure Africa Fund, and Vinci Concessions SAS].
However, the French lost the deal to the Chinese in July 2023 following talks between President Ruto and China Foreign Affairs Miniter Wang Yi, during his three-day visit to Kenya.
During the talks at State House Nairobi, among the projects the President indicated the Chinese would be involved in included the upgrading of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the dualing of Rironi-Naivasha-Nakuru-Mau Summit and the ports of Mombasa and Lamu.
President Ruto said the development of a new Greenfield terminal and a new runway at JKIA, the dualing of Rironi-Naivasha-Nakuru-Mau Summit will elevate the country’s competitiveness.
The projects, he said, will be pursued either under the Public-Private Partnerships or government-to-government framework.
“We are ready to expedite discussions and conclude on details on the proposed projects for implementation,” he said.
