Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta seeks Sh368 bn loan from China for SGR project

The bilateral cooperation between China and Kenya has grown stronger in the recent past. Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta is about to set his foot in China to secure a gigantic Sh368 billion loan for the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway.

Kenya’s Head of State, Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to attend Belt and Road Initiative Forum in China before moving to Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Kenya former Prime Minister and current opposition leader, Raila Odinga is also expected to attend the Belt and Road Initiative Forum that ends on Sunday.

The government of Kenya looks forward to get the loan in financing the construction of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line linking Kisumu and Naivasha. The government is working towards extending the line to Malaba to ease regional trade. So far, the construction of SGR’s phase one is completed that connects Nairobi with Mombasa. The construction of second phase connecting Kisumu and Naivasha is underway.

“I will be part of the delegation to accompany the president to the Asian country next week. The new SGR line will extend from Naivasha, Narok, Bomet, Sondu and finally Kisumu,” Raila Odinga said in Sondu on April 20.

On the other hand, the government of Kenya is also in talks with Chinese government to secure extra funds in improving a system that would ensure security of the SGR line, passengers and goods. “Negotiations between the two governments (Kenya and China) are going on.,” Kenya Railways Corporation acting director, Philip Mahinga, said last month.

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