Government presses China to unlock stalled projects

Prime Cabinet Secretary in the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya   Musalia Mudavadi  During the occasion of Bastille Day. [File, Standard]

The cash strapped government of President William Ruto is racing to secure Chinese financing to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to the Ugandan border and to build the Rironi-Mau Summit dual carriageway, projects seen as vital to unlocking Western Kenya’s economy, before the 2027 election deadline.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government is in advanced talks with Chinese firms to unlock the mega infrastructure projects along the western corridor stating the goal is to “enhance the efficiency of trade” with Uganda and the Great Lakes region.