Kenya, China Strike $5B Infrastructure Development Deal

Kenya has struck a $5 billion development deal with China to be used to create a new railway line and numerous energy projects in a bid to improve Kenya’s infrastructure.

The new standard gauge rail link will connect the port of Mombasa in the east to the town of Malaba, which lies near the Ugandan border.  The new development is intended to facilitate the distribution of goods and raw materials deemed essential for the country’s development.
In addition, a portion of the funds will go towards improving protection for the country’s wildlife. Kenya has a long history of poaching, born largely of Chinese demand for elephant tusks and rhino horn

s, an

d there is a huge black market for the items in Asia, which are used in traditional, albeit useless medicines. As a result, population figures for both animals have plummeted in the area.

The $5bn contra

ct was signed during Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s state visit to China where he met President Xi Jin

ping.
The Kenyan government wants to use its new ties with China to assist in the c

ompletion of the $25.5bn Lamu project. The venture will help develop trade links between Sudan, Ethiopia and the Indian Ocean port of Lamu in Kenya.
Kenyatta along with his Deputy William Ruto will face trial at the International Criminal Court, for crimes against humanity. The two men are believed to have played a part in the violence that followed the 2007 election that saw Mwai Kibaki elected.