Kenya could soon secure another loan from China to finance airports' expansion if talks between Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and a Chinese top official are anything to go by.
The CS on Wednesday, November 16, announced plans for Kenya to collaborate with China in the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Murkomen made the remarks after holding talks with the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian on measures to boost ties between the two countries.
"The two leaders discussed areas of collaboration in the aviation sector, including expansion of airports starting with the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)," read the press statement in parts.
Additionally, the CS hinted at the formulation of a workable model that would encourage the transfer of technology, skills, and knowledge to Kenyan youth that will make them more attractive in the global job market.
This will be implemented through the formation of joint working teams, scholarships, and training.
"Technology has become the centerpiece of modern infrastructural developments with Information Transportation Systems offering the much-needed solutions to traffic control management," Murkomen noted.
Furthermore in the meeting, Kenya and China agreed to work together to modernise and digitise the transport sector.
"We look forward to continued collaboration in infrastructure development and attracting more investment into the sector," Murkomen stated.
On matters of trade, Kipchumba and Pingjian settled on resolving the imbalance in trade by encouraging more businesses to invest in Kenya.
Subsequently, this will result in the country leading in the exportation of finished products to China.
Murkomen further reiterated on the key role China has played to help Kenyan youth become competitive in the job market through scholarships and training.
"As a government, we consider China a close friend and a great partner owing to their active involvement in the transformation of Kenya's infrastructure landscape over the 20 years resulting in the cheaper, faster, and more efficient movement of people and goods between cities and towns," the CS remarked.
China is one of Kenya's leading lenders, in financing flagships infrastructural projects like the Standard Gauge Railway - SGR and the Nairobi Expressway.
