| Work Detail |
Kenya is seeking funding from Chinese investors for its 184 billion shillings ($1.29 billion) Mau Summit Highway. Importantly, the highway is one of the country’s biggest road projects. Moreover, pursuit for Chinese funding follows failed talks with French investors.
President Ruto told Chinese delegation that dualling of 233-kilometre highway was one of the pending infrastructure projects up for grabs.
A French consortium initially won the tender. However, Roads Transport Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua revealed that the government had decided to put it on hold. Additionally, Mr Mbugua added the government found the total cost of the project to be too high. This is due to the current dynamics where Kenya is in a tight fiscal space.
The French consortium, known as Rift Valley Highway Limited, expected to recoup its investment in 30 years. Importantly, this could be achieved by charging toll fees on the road.
Mau Summit Highway Start date
Roads Transport Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua said that the government is negotiating with the contractors and financiers. Noteworthy, this may delay the project’s roll-out which has drawn financiers such as the World Bank and the African Development Fund. |
