Kenya: High debt burden for railroad lin • Table.Briefings

Diese Luftaufnahme vom 20. September 2023 zeigt Passagiere, die sich am Bahnhof Nairobi Terminus der von China gebauten Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Nairobi, Kenia, auf den Einstieg in den Zug nach Mombasa vorbereiten. 2017 wurde die SGR, die von der China Road and Bridge Corporation gebaut und betrieben wird, offiziell für den Verkehr freigegeben. Sie ist die erste Eisenbahnstrecke, die seit der Unabhängigkeit Kenias gebaut wurde, und verbindet auf 480 km die Hauptstadt Nairobi mit der Hafenstadt Mombasa. Sie verkürzt die Reisezeit zwischen den beiden Städten um fünf Stunden und senkt die Gesamtlogistikkosten um etwa 40 Prozent. — The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is the first railway line to be built since Kenya’s independence and connects the capital, Nairobi, with the port city of Mombasa over a distance of 480 km. It shortens the travel time between the two cities by five hours.

The train line between Nairobi and Mombasa, funded with Chinese money, has left Kenya with a huge debt burden. President Ruto is now looking increasingly to the West in his search for investors.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is currently back in Africa. And even though he is not visiting Kenya this time, China’s influence can be felt everywhere in the country. For example, traveling on the railway line from Mombasa to Nairobi, financed by bank loans from the People’s Republic, is a very Chinese experience. Making the journey on decommissioned Chinese trains with tickets and staff uniforms almost identical to those in the People’s Republic. There are even the typical hot water dispensers between the compartments. However, they are not turned on. Unlike the Chinese, Kenyans apparently have no need to brew instant noodles on long train journeys.

Kenya: High debt burden for railroad line triggers debate on China

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