Kenya remains resolute in its pursuit of a deal with China to complete the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension to Malaba, according to the government.
This determination follows recent high-level talks between President William Ruto and China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing, which did not yield a deal or an extension agreement.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen emphasized that Kenya would continue its engagement with China to secure support for the SGR expansion, starting from Naivasha and extending to Malaba, with the ultimate goal of reaching Kampala.
Murkomen expressed gratitude for the cooperation with the Chinese government in implementing infrastructure projects, looking forward to stronger partnerships in various areas such as roads, railways, ports, and airports through public-private collaborations and government agreements.
Kenya believes that extending the railway to Malaba will facilitate smoother rail transport for cargo from the Mombasa port to landlocked countries. Uganda took a cautious approach when Kenya constructed the SGR line from Mombasa to Naivasha, and Kenya recently rehabilitated the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line from Naivasha to the Malaba border to enhance transportation along the corridor.
The Mombasa port serves several countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Burundi, and northern Tanzania.
During the Beijing forum, various agreements were signed between China and Kenya, but specific details on the SGR extension or debt restructuring were not disclosed. President Ruto’s visit was also intended to negotiate a $1 billion mega deal and seek concessions for debt restructuring.
At the forum, $97.2 billion worth of cooperation projects were signed between Beijing and various countries, with a focus on enhancing infrastructure and connectivity. Ruto highlighted the importance of these projects in transforming connectivity within Kenya and the region, facilitating cross-border trade and regional integration.
Ruto’s visit to Beijing marked a shift in his earlier stance on Chinese loans, as he expressed support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) plan for global infrastructure development. Xi Jinping praised the BRI’s objectives of connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe through extensive infrastructure and energy networks.
