Chinese-Built Nairobi Expressway to Open to Cars Next Week, But First It Was Runners’ Turn to Use the New Road

Thousands of participants in the Nairobi Marathon walked and ran along the new Chinese-financed and built Nairobi Expressway. Image via the State House.

Thousands of Kenyans filled the new Chinese-financed and built Nairobi Expressway on Sunday when they ran/walked along the new road as part of the Nairobi City Marathon.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was on hand to start the race and told everyone that the new expressway would finally be open to motorists beginning next Saturday when the first trials will begin.

The $750 million, 27-kilometer highway is a critical test of the future of Chinese infrastructure finance in Africa given that it’s the largest public-private partnership venture undertaken to date.

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by Eric Olander

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