NAIROBI, KENYA, APR 20 — Leading Chinese enterprises operating in Kenya have pledged to provide support to fast track the attainment of the governments’ Big Four development plan.
Investments by the enterprises operating in key economic sectors including Infrastructure Development Manufacturing, Information Communication and Technology (ICT), will provide a much needed shot in the arm for the realization of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four agenda.
Speaking at a forum organised by the Government of Kenya in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Kenya China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) representatives from the enterprises welcomed calls to provide technical and related support necessary for the attainment of the Big Four priorities on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.
Key Chinese enterprises represented at the forum included Huawei Technologies, Twyford Ceramics, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and AVIC International among others.
Speaking at the opening of the forum, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Liu Xianfa emphasized on the continued support of the People’s Republic of China to the development of Kenya, which is one of their key development partner.
“Kenya is a long standing partner to China, and it is our hope that the two countries shall continue to work closely in order to see the realisation of the Big Four Agenda for economic development by the Jubilee government. We are committed towards according any necessary support to Kenya as they work towards this great plan,” said Mr Xianfa.
The government’s Big Four Agenda was launched last December by President Uhuru Kenyatta with the aim of addressing the most pressing issues faced by Kenyans.
In his plan, President Kenyatta plans to provide at least five hundred thousand (500,000) affordable new houses to Kenyans by 2022, consequently improving the living conditions for Kenyans.
The government is also keen to support value addition and raise the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product to 15 per cent by 2022, envisioned to accelerate economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.
President Kenyatta is also ardent to lead the Jubilee administration in achieving universal affordable healthcare and food security by the end of his final five -year tenure.
READ:Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta Tackling Food Insecurity as part of his Big Four Plan
Speaking at the same forum, Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia while welcoming the Chinese enterprises support, said the government has already outlined and set in motion practical avenue to ensure the on time attain of the Big Four plan.
“Entrenched in our agenda is the plan to facilitate affordable housing and implement of a home ownership programme that will ensure every working family can afford a decent home. Our target is to create 500,000 new home owners in the next five years,” said CS Macharia.
The forum is one of the many planned to discuss the government’s Big Four Agenda, with the aim of fostering continued partnership between the Kenyan government and the Chinese Enterprises established in Kenya; as the two plan to work together to achieve the set targets within the stipulated time.
In Kenya, Huawei Technologies has helped to significantly reduce the medical costs of over 200,000 people with digital clinic and telemedicine platforms.
The firm is also currently implementing the Nairobi Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) project which is part of the Nairobi Urban Transport Improvement Program (NUTRIP) and funded to the tune of Ksh1.4 Billion by World Bank and the Government of Kenya with Kenya Urban Roads being the implementing agency.
The implementation of the Nairobi ITS comes hot on the heels of the Huawei Digital Railway Solution deployment for the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project constructed by CRBC.
As part of its expansion plans in the African continent, infrastructure development firm Avic International is currently undertaking a KSh40.5 billion works for its 30-floor Africa headquarters in Nairobi.
Ceramic tiles manufacturer Twyford recently established a modern manufacturing plant in Kajiado County at an investment value of US$30million.
