Kenya’s cement firms protest over Chinese contractor’s SGR imports

A security officer patrols a section of the Standard Gauge Railway project in Taita Taveta County. Manufacturers have accused the contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation, of going against an agreement to buy cement from them that was signed in December last year. [PHOTO: file/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: A Chinese contractor has been accused of going against a pledge to buy cement from local manufacturers, which could frustrate the anticipated benefits of the Sh370 billion Standard Gauge Railway project.

Two of the biggest local cement makers, Bamburi Cement and ARM, have accused China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) of importing cement for the construction of the railway line in contravention of an earlier contract.