The Kenya Kwanza government has been put on the spot over a tender notice issued by the ministry of transport open for bidding for Chinese nationals only.
Kenyans are aggravated by the move, which has raised even further questions because the financier of the intended project is the Exim Bank of the republic of China.
According to the tender notice, published by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) on Tuesday, February 6, the government had received intent for financing for the construction of the Nairobi ITS Establishment and Junction Improvement Project.
The Authority indicated that the project would continue over a period of 72 months.
Additionally, KURA noted that the project will involve the establishment of a traffic management center, the installation of an advanced traffic management system, traffic signal control, and video surveillance cameras across 125 intersections.
“The bidder and all other parties constituting the bidder shall have the nationality of The Republic of China.
“It is envisaged that the Contract Period will be for a duration of Seventy-Two (72) Months. Thirty (36) Months for Design and Build and 36 Months for operation and maintenance. ,” read the notice in part.
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Kenyans React to the Tender Notice
Subsequently, Mohammed Waliye on X shared his disappointment in the government arguing that the money given by the Chinese bank to finance the project would not benefit Kenyans in any way.
Waliye added that the economy of Kenya had stagnated because the government used domestic revenues to pay such dollar debts, yet only Chinese contractors were allowed to apply for such opportunities.
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“A Chinese bank finances a Chinese company to build stuff in Kenya. Chinese bank pays Chinese contractor in China. Chinese contractor imports materials from China and dents our currency.
“And then people ask why the economy is growing but we don’t see that translate into ‘pesa mfukoni’. Then we use our domestic revenues to pay the dollar debt and hit our currency. If only Chinese contractors are allowed to apply, why advertise in Kenya?” he questioned.
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In addition, his frustration was backed by my others who noted that several projects in the country were done with Chinese contractors, leaving Kenyan professionals on the sidelines.
“What happens if this project does not translate into better outcome in terms of public transport? Improved safety and compliance with the law?” another user Kirinyaga, questioned in response.
Details of the Tender for Chinese Nationals
KURA detailed that the scope of the project will include detailed engineering design, civil works including intersection geometry and structural improvement and rehabilitation for 125 Intersections.
Also, the project will include the construction of a traffic management center (TMC), advanced traffic management system, Traffic Signal Control (125 Intersections),
Traffic Video Surveillance (125 Intersections), Traffic Violation Detection (125 Intersections), Intelligent Checkpoint (30 Sites), Traffic Guidance System (10 Sites), Traffic Flow Collection (80 Sites), Communications Network Connection, Integrated Site Power, and enhancement of Traffic Management Center were also listed.
