Kenyatta Meets With Railway Line Contractors.
President Uhuru Kenyatta today, Wednesday, met with the Executive Director and Chairman of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), Liu Qitao , that will build the new Mombasa-Nairobi railway.
The meeting, between President Kenyatta and Qitao at State House Nairobi, comes ahead of tomorrows, Thursday, ground breaking for the standard gauge railway in Mombasa.
The President said the standard gauge railway is the largest project to be undertaken in the country in 50 years and is the first phase of the Mombasa-Malaba railway line.
“The project will define my legacy as President of Kenya and it is my personal desire that the implementation is done to the highest standard,” he said.
Kenyatta also said Kenya was working closely with Uganda and Rwanda to ensure the railway line extends to their countries adding that the project’s success will boost the ties between the neighbouring countries.
“Kenya will fully meet its obligations towards the project. I will personally oversee its implementation,” the Kenyatta said.
Affirming the Government’s commitment to the project, President Kenyatta said Kenya would meet its funding obligations and appealed to the company to speed up financing of the project.
Kenyatta thanked the Chinese Government for the massive infrastructural projects in the country, which he said reduced the cost of doing business and created employment through increased investments.
Qitao assured the President that his company will ensure high quality work and complete the project within the stipulated time.
He said his company will sponsor between 30 and 50 Kenyan students on port and railway services in Beijing universities.
Qitao also said the company is interested in the development of Lamu Port and urbanization of Kenyan cities and towns.
“All the resources necessary for the successful project implementation, including personnel and finances have been mobilized,” said Qitao
Roads Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau, China’s Ambassador to Kenya Liu Guangyuan, senior officials of CCCC and the China Road and Bridge Corporation were present for the meeting.
By May Jesaro
