Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is in Beijing, China, engaged in discussions aimed at advancing infrastructural development projects in Kenya. His visit holds significant promise for the country’s infrastructure development, as it seeks to strengthen its bilateral cooperation with China, a relationship that spans 60 years of diplomatic ties.
During his visit, CS Murkomen held a crucial meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Li Xiaopeng. The primary focus of their discussions was centered on deepening the collaborative efforts between Kenya and China in various areas of development.
One of the key objectives is to enhance and expand the existing comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.
This partnership encompasses a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, trade, and education.
With decades of cooperation under their belt, both countries aim to further cement their relationship to achieve mutual growth and development.
CS Murkomen emphasized that these strategic partnerships hold the potential to facilitate the successful completion of ongoing road projects within Kenya.
This includes crucial initiatives such as the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba, the dualling of main highways, and the expansion of Kenyan ports and airports. These projects are pivotal in boosting the country’s connectivity and economic development.
“We hope to equip our Technical and Vocational Institutions, build water dams, and implement our smart and intelligent traffic systems among others,” says CS Murkomen.
The Cabinet Secretary also revealed that his meeting with Li Xiaopeng serves as a pre-meet to President William Ruto’s upcoming visit to China. President Ruto’s visit is expected to further solidify the diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
CS Murkomen’s visit to China follows closely after Kenya and Uganda jointly signed a communique outlining the financing and development plans for the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway and the Malaba-Kampala SGR projects.
The Kenyan government has allocated Sh2.1 trillion for the extension of the railway line from Suswa to Malaba, along with a separate line to Isiolo.
These ambitious projects are slated for completion by 2027, promising enhanced connectivity and transportation efficiency.
The joint communique affirms the signing of commercial contracts for the Naivasha-Kisumu and Kisumu-Malaba SGR sections in Kenya.
Meanwhile, Uganda is progressing towards finalizing the contract for the Malaba-Kampala SGR section. Both governments are actively mobilizing the necessary financing for these monumental infrastructure developments.
These planned railway projects in Kenya will add an impressive 2,746 kilometers to the existing SGR network, contributing to a total expenditure exceeding $19.4 billion (Sh2.7 trillion). Notably, Kenya’s initial phase of the SGR, worth $3.2 billion (Sh360 billion), was financed through a loan secured from the Exim Bank.
Through our partnership, we hope to complete our ongoing road projects, extend the railway to Malaba, dual our main highways, expand our port and airports’ infrastructure, equip our Technical and Vocational Institutions, build water dams, implement our smart and intelligent… pic.twitter.com/OZq8F97EOl
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) September 28, 2023
