The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed plans to expand Kenya’s airports, beginning with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Murkomen spoke after meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Thou Pingfian on Wednesday.
The CS also expressed his willingness to work closely with the Chinese government in modernizing and digitizing the transportation industry, as well as exploring potential new areas of cooperation that would benefit Kenyans.
“As government, we consider China a close friend and a great partner owing to their active involvement in the transformation of Kenya’s infrastructure landscape over the last 20 years resulting in the cheaper, faster and more efficient movement of people and goods between cities and towns,” he said.
“We look forward to continued collaboration in infrastructure development and attracting more investment into the sector.”
Murkomen also called for the formulation of a workable model that would encourage the transfer of technology, skills and knowledge to Kenyan youth through the formation of joint working teams, scholarships, and training.
“Technology has become the centrepiece of modem infrastructural developments with Information Transportation Systems offering the much-needed solutions to traffic control and management,” stated Murkomen.
“As one of the powerhouses in the fields of science and technology, China can assist our youth to become competitive in the job market through scholarships and training that would accord them the technological know-how and the requisite skills necessary to become competitive in the global job market.”
On trade, the two leaders agreed to address the imbalance by encouraging more businesses to invest in Kenya, which would increase finished product exports to China.
According to the CS, China currently exports $720 million (Ksh.87.8 billion) to Kenya and imports $42.4 million (Ksh.5.2 billion).
Machinery, electric and electronic equipment, garments, organic materials, pharmaceutical products, and footwear are among the main imports from China, while Kenya exports Titanium ore, Niobium, Tantalum, Vanadium, Zirconium Ore, and avocados to China.
