China gives 600 000 000

The Chinese Government has given Kenya Sh600 million to fund the development of infrastructure and promised to provide more funding as soon as Nairobi provides its list of priority projects.

The pledge came on the first day of Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s visit to China on a mission to woo investors and for help to construct a port at Lamu and a road and railway network through Ethiopia and Sudan.

Making the announcement in Chengdu, Chinese Premier Wen Jinbao said the Sh600 million was in addition to the Sh1.08 billion given to Kenya by his government for the expansion of Thika Road.

Speaking when he held talks with Mr Odinga in Chengdu, Mr Jonbao said China will give more scholarships to Kenyan students to pursue training in specialized fields in Chinese universities, especially in science and technology.

Mr Odinga called for greater cooperation with China and asked investors to increase their trade and investment portfolio in Kenya.

He said China has long ties with Kenya dating back to the struggle for independence adding that China’s route to industrialization is relevant to Kenya because the two countries have similar backgrounds.

The Premier at the same time called for balance of trade which was currently in favour of China noting that in 2007, China exported goods and services worth $980 million while Kenya exported to China goods and services worth $38 million.

He said: “We would wish to have more Kenyan tea, coffee, beef and flowers exported to China to increase the volume of Kenya’s exports to China.”

The Prime minister is accompanied by Ministers Franklin Bett, Amos Kimunya and Chris Obure and assistant Minister Charles Keter.