Kenya’s New Transport Secretary Criticizes Previous Government’s Deals with China

Cabinet Secretary nominee for Roads, Transport and Public Works, Kipchumba Murkomen testified before the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments in Nairobi. Image via @kipmurkomen.

This week’s confirmation hearing for Kenya’s new Transport Secretary included some revealing details about prominent Chinese projects like the recently inaugurated Nairobi Expressway. Kipchumba Murkomen reacted to widespread complaints about the tolls charged to use the road, a key part of its public-private partnership funding agreement with China Road and Bridge Corporation. 

Murkomen criticized the deal, saying he’s concerned that the Expressway deal will benefit Chinese investors more than the Kenyan public. However, he said the tolls will stay and may be instituted on other roads, too, in order to pay for upgrades. 

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by Cobus van Staden

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