Roundup: Chinese projects changing lives in Kenya

At the University of Nairobi, Kenya's top university, a new multi-storey building under construction is taking shape.

The towering edifice, whose construction started in May 2013, is surrounded by a green nylon material as construction standards demand.

However, the protective material fans curiosity among students, lecturers and workers alike, who are eager to see how the building that will host several lecture theatres, administration block and a helipad, looks like.

The 26-million-U.S.-dollar tower is a few months away from completion, and the students are eager to use it.

"This will be the tallest building in the university. I am very happy about its construction," said Vincent Njoroge, a second year sociology student, adding that he hopes to take some of his lectures in the facility once it is completed next year.

Tentatively named University of Nairobi Towers, the 22-storey building that is being constructed by China Wuyi Co., Ltd, is set to transform operations at Kenya's biggest university and change the city's skyline.

The University of Nairobi Towers is one of the many buildings and projects constructed by Chinese companies that are changing the city, businesses, and the lives of Kenyans.

In Kenya, the Chinese are mainly carrying out various infrastructural projects in different sectors that include energy, transport and real estate as relations between the East African nation and China soar. Among them, Thika Superhighway that connects downtown Nairobi and Thika town in the city's northeast, has been the most well-acclaimed project.

Constructed at a cost of 360 million dollars, the road cemented China's construction authority in Kenya, and introduced the Chinese to the ordinary Kenyan.

"Thika superhighway is the best thing to have happened to Nairobi residents living in estates along the road. Initially, we would take up to two hours to reach the city centre during peak time but this has come down to about an hour," said media worker Fred Ojwang, who lives in Kahawa.

Ojwang noted that the improved infrastructure has seen public transport vehicle (matatu) operators increase the number of fleets and new players have come in.

"Unlike in the past when one had to wait for hours before he could board a vehicle, particularly during peak time, because many of them were held up in traffic jams, these days you get a vehicle as soon as you need it," he said.

The superhighway, however, is not only beneficial to commuters. Matatu operators note that the superb form of the road and decreased traffic jams have increased business and brought down cost of operations.

"It takes me about three months before I take my vehicle for major service. Initially, a month would not pass due to poor road and constant traffic snarl-ups that sometimes forced us to use alternative routes that increased tear and wear," said matatu conductor Steven Ngugi.

And that is not the only benefit. Ngugi has seen his income improved as he now can make more trips in a day.

He collects up to 264 U.S. dollars in a day from the vehicle, increased from previously 176 dollars. With fuel gobbling up 88 dollars, Ngugi now takes to his employer about 176 dollars every day.

"Improved earnings saw my employer increase my daily wages from 5.5 dollars about a year ago to 9 dollars. And the fact that we don't go to the garage many times means that he makes good savings, " said Ngugi, whose story is shared by many matatu operators who ply the route.

The 14.1-billion-dollar Standard Gauge Railway, whose construction has started, is expected to have the same effect on ordinary citizens, business persons and the Kenyan economy.

The railway line that will run from Mombasa, at the Kenyan coast, through Nairobi, the capital, to Malaba on the Kenya-Uganda border, is expected to improve movement of goods and people across the East Africa region.

Already, its benefits have started to be felt as thousands of locals have been employed to take part in its construction. At least 30,000 people are expected to be employed by China Road and Bridge Corporation through the project.

Away from roads, Kenya's top corporate institutions are also tapping the Chinese construction power. Some of the organisations which are using Chinese contractors to build magnificent office blocks and shopping complexes include National Social Security Fund, Kenya Commercial Bank and UAP Insurance.

Analysts note the Chinese are currently dominating construction projects in Kenya because of their dedication to quality work, good workmanship, timely execution, and they fund part of the work.

Statistics from Kenya's Presidency show that in the past 14 years, China has funded 70 development projects in Kenya, a good number of which are complete.

"They range from 108 million dollars grant from Chinese government to build the North and East Ring Road sections in Nairobi to the multi-billion loan to finance the Standard Gauge Railway," it said.

About 50 Chinese companies have been contracted to work on various projects in energy, roads, water, housing and transport in Kenya, with a value of 2 billion dollars.

"These projects are definitely part of what Kenya needs to boost her economy and become a middle-income country," said economics lecturer Henry Wandera, who lives along the Thika superhighway and shops at Thika Road Mall.

"We have seen the projects change lives in a very short time as the Chinese complete them on time. This is what Kenya needs to move forward," he said. Endi