Home Consular Service Doing Business in China Studying in China Contact Us 中文
Information of the Ambassador
Message from the Ambassador Resume of the Ambassador Activities of the Ambassador Remarks of the Ambassador China-South Africa Overview Political Exchanges Business Cooperation Sci-Tech Exchanges Cultural Exchanges Overseas Chinese in SA China-Africa Overview Archives News & Events cooperation & assistance

Home > China-Africa > News & Events
  • Kenyatta: China's 'takeover' of Mombasa Port is pure propaganda(2018-12-29)
  • How the Belt and Road Initiative could reduce trade costs(2018-12-29)
  • 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit: What to expect(2018-08-31)
  • China, Africa to enhance cooperation, affirm support at FOCAC Beijing summit(2018-08-31)
  • China, Africa work to play concerto for shared future(2018-08-30)
  • Belt and Road Initiative reduces costs in China-Africa trade, says UN official(2018-08-30)
  • Xi's speech boosts confidence in global economic stability: commentators(2018-08-29)
  • Elements of Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Lin Songtian at South African National Editors Forum (SANEF)(2018-08-22)
  • Senior CPC official to visit South Africa for BRICS meeting(2018-06-26)
  • 3rd China-Africa Youth Festival opens in Beijing(2018-06-25)
  • Chinese State Councilor to visit Germany, Belgium, South Africa(2018-05-29)
  • China appreciates Burkina Faso's decision to cut "diplomatic" ties with Taiwan(2018-05-28)
  • WFP lauds China's food aid to South Sudan(2018-05-23)
  • China's ZTT to open new plant in Morocco(2018-05-18)
  • Feature: Chinese eye surgeons win hearts in Namibia(2018-05-17)
  • China to be guest of honor at Morocco's Tan-Tan Moussem in July(2018-05-17)
  • Energy forum discusses closer China-Africa energy partnership(2018-05-16)
  • Chinese firm, Nigeria sign 6 bln USD rail project agreement(2018-05-16)
  • Chinese president's special envoy to attend Sierra Leone's presidential inauguration(2018-05-16)
  • Commentary: China-Africa friendship unfazed by Western criticism(2018-05-16)
  • Interview: China-Mozambique ties showing fruitful results(2018-05-15)
  • China's top legislator visits Ethiopia to boost bilateral ties(2018-05-15)
  • Feature: Mozambique anticipates landmark Chinese-built suspension bridge set for launch in June(2018-05-14)
  • Chinese development endeavor in Ethiopia wins acclaim(2018-05-14)
  • African countries benefited from China's poverty alleviation experience(2018-05-10)
  • Feature: Chinese-built railways put Ethiopia on track to meet 2025 development goals(2018-05-10)
  • Ethiopia takes inspiration from China's success for own development(2018-05-09)
  • Feature: Chinese Kung Fu festival draws crowd despite heavy rain in Nigeria's economic hub(2018-05-09)
  • Two Tanzanian college students shine in Chinese language proficiency competition(2018-05-08)
  • Feature: Chinese acupuncture gains wide popularity in Tunisia(2018-05-08)
Noticemore>>
  • Notice on the Adjustment of Requirements for China-bound Travelers
  • Notice on Further Adjustment of Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners traveling to China
Topicsmore>>

BRICS 2023

China-SA 25th Anniversary

2023 Two Sessions

Linksmore>>
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Covid-19 Belt and Road Portal FOCAC China Consular Affairs
Information of the Ambassador
Message from the Ambassador Resume of the Ambassador Activities of the Ambassador Remarks of the Ambassador China-South Africa Overview Political Exchanges Business Cooperation Sci-Tech Exchanges Cultural Exchanges Overseas Chinese in SA China-Africa Overview Archives News & Events cooperation & assistance

Home > China-Africa > News & Events
Kenyatta: China's 'takeover' of Mombasa Port is pure propaganda
2018-12-29 21:29

President Uhuru Kenyatta had finally responded to those who have been bashing him over the country's ballooning public debt. Speaking to journalists in Mombasa on Friday, December 28, Uhuru argued the huge loans were being put in good use and therefore there should be no cause for alarm.

Q: The Daily Nation of Kenya recently reported that in a letter to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the Office of the Auditor General of Kenya raised questions over its Mombasa-Nairobi Railway loan payment agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China which uses the Mombasa Port as a collateral, revealing that Kenya could lose the port if it defaults in the payment. In response to this, the Office of the Auditor General clarified the situation and dismissed the report on December 19. KPA Managing Director Daniel Manduku told the media,"There is no risk of losing the port. In fact, we will pay this loan ahead of time". What is your comment?

A: Regarding the issue mentioned by you, we have checked with the relevant Chinese financial institution and found that the allegation that the Kenyan side used the Mombasa Port as a collateral in its payment agreement with the Chinese financial institution Mombasa-Nairobi Railway is not true. The report you just cited said that the Kenyan side also has made clarifications on it.

At present, the China-Kenya cooperation on the Mombasa-Nairobi railway is progressing smoothly. When cooperating with African countries including Kenya, Chinese companies and financial institutions will always conduct joint and thorough scientific study on the feasibility of the projects and then proceed to determine construction and funding plans and scales to guard against causing debt risks and fiscal burdens for Africa.

So the issue of the take over of Mombasa Port by China is pure propaganda. We are ahead of our payment schedule for the SGR loan and there is no cause of alarm . People keep asking me why I go to China. China is opening their eyes and meeting Kenya, and indeed the rest of Africa at their point of need. They are offering financial packages which we can afford.

The issue of debt is not about incurring debt, it's about how you use it. Are you using that debt for development? To expand your GDP? To open up your country? When we talk about debt it must be viewed in comparison with the GDP. I am confident that Kenya's debt is for infrastructure development, that will not only benefit the current generation but future generations too. In less than 6 years, since I came into office, we have implemented many projects.

Appendix: