The Kenyan government, on Saturday, set the record straight after headlines emerged revealing that President Uhuru Kenyatta's loan request to China for SGR extension was rejected.
Various media outlets reported that China did not agree with the terms of the loan that Uhuru was proposing including acquiring half the loan as a grant and that the balance be a loan with more relaxed conditions.
Taking to social media, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma, however, explained that the relationship between the Asian nation and Kenya was broader and that SGR loan was not a top priority.
"Strange headlines out of Nairobi today!
"The relationship between Kenya and China is broader than the SGR. In fact, the SGR extension beyond Naivasha was never a priority agenda for the current mission to Beijing," she stated.
She further revealed that Uhuru and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had scored numerous deals from the trip including a partnership with the private sectors for investment.
"Our focus was on growing market access, development of our industrial and special economic zones, and partnership with the private sectors for investment. Significantly, the first PPP deal was struck yesterday. So where is this headline coming from?" Continued the CS.
Uhuru and Raila had traveled to China and appeared assured of clinching the Ksh368 billion financing to extend the line to Kisumu.
China, on the other hand, insisted on collateral, something the duo had gone to Beijing to avoid.
They wanted “sufficient proof of viability” before they could authorise the deal to construct the Standard Gauge Railway beyond Naivasha.
