Why Ruto Ally Wants Tycoons Behind Lucrative Chinese Tenders Exposed

Chinese nationals at work during the construction of the SGR.
Chinese nationals at work during the construction of the SGR.
File

Garissa Township legislator Aden Duale has lobbied Parliament to open an inquiry that would unmask the names of the beneficiaries linked to multi-billion shilling Chinese tenders.

According to Duale, the contracts have led to overnight millionaires benefitting from these lucrative tenders especially since President Uhuru Kenyatta took power in 2013.

The vocal MP, a former ally of President Kenyatta, added that the inquiry would establish the status of each contract linked to Chinese companies cutting across various sectors of the economy. 

DP William Ruto and Garissa Town MP Aden Duale in Busia on Saturday, October 23, 2021.
DP William Ruto and Garissa Town MP Aden Duale in Busia on Saturday, October 23, 2021.
William Ruto Twitter

Among the projects at the forefront include the Ksh427 billion Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Ksh67 billion Nairobi Expressway as well as the Ksh40 billion Mombasa oil terminal.

Duale took the battle to the Jubilee administration for allegedly enriching a section of tycoons in the tenders undertaking projects in various industries.

“In line with Article 95 (5) (b) of the Constitution, I do hereby request a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development on the names and local Directors/and or representatives of all China State-owned or Chinese-linked companies undertaking projects in the Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development,” he pointed out.

Duale, whose fallout with the Head of State played out after his ouster from the National Assembly Majority seat, sought for the breakdown of the contracts in order to uncover the finer details. 

The National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi ordered the Transport Committee to open investigations into the inquiry. 

Past media reports have indicated that seven Chinese companies have undertaken projects valued at over Ksh1 trillion. 

These companies include China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), China Road and Bridges Corporation (CRBC), China Wu Yi, Synohydro, Jiangxi Engineering, China Railways 21 Bureau Group and Third Engineering Bureau of China City Construction Group. 

Currently, CRBC is undertaking the construction of the Nairobi Expressway, while CCCC was awarded the tender for 453 km road in Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET).

File Photo of Nairobi Expressway currently under construction running from Mlolongo to Westlands area
File Photo of Nairobi Expressway currently under construction running from Mlolongo to Westlands area
Courtesy