How Chinese big money will be shared out in the city
Nairobi is set to benefit immensely from China’s largesse following several agreements signed over the past three days between the two governments.
They include a Sh60 billion China brand city in Athi River, complete with industrial parks, selling Chinese products.
Already, a Chinese motor vehicle dealer, Foton has set up shop on Mombasa Road, providing hundreds of job opportunities to city residents.
The Nairobi National Park will also benefit from the Sh850 million meant for fighting poaching.
Chinese companies will also undertake the construction of several buildings in the city including the Nairobi Chancellor towers, Hazina Trade Centre towers and the ICPAK Complex on Thika Superhighway.
Grid upgrade
Nairobi will benefit from a concessional loan agreement on its 132 KV and 66 KV network upgrade reinforcement Phase II project, which will see the Chinese government provide support to increase electricity supply in the city.
Brand City
Chinese companies have come together to set up a China brand city in Athi River with dozens of storeyed buildings and industrial parks for Chinese products set to be built there.
The city will cost more than Sh60 billion to set up and create more than 200,000 jobs.
Automobile
Major Chinese companies including those in the automobile industries have been scouting for properties as they plan to relocate to Nairobi from where they intend to set up their regional headquarters.
Already Foton has set up shop on Mombasa Road and are giving the mainstream dealers like Toyota and General Motors, a run for their money.
Construction
Chinese firms have literally taken over the mega billion projects within the city, with construction of shopping malls, office blocks and residential estates now under their surveillance.
Currently they are engaged in building University of Nairobi Chancellor towers, Hazina Trade Centre towers, ICPAK Complex on the Thika Highway, Cardinal Otunga Plaza and the renovations of the Kasarani National Stadium.
20,000 expatriates
More than 20,000 Chinese expatriates have entered the Kenyan market and are engaged in various aspects of economic development in the real estate, infrastructure, science and the engineering sectors.
The Chinese community has largely settled around Hurlingham and Parklands areas where there is increased acquisition of property for construction of high rise buildings.
Broadcast
In the media industry, major Chinese news outlets such as CCTV have set up shop in Nairobi’s Kilimani area, sparking off competition with their Western rivals such as BBC and CNN who have had a Kenyan presence for a while.
Wildlife conservation
The Nairobi National Park is among the parks that will benefit from the Sh850 million given by the Chinese premier to help in fighting poaching.