From Railways to Relationships: How Kenya and China Are Rewriting the 'Debt Trap' Narrative
Kenyan President William Ruto sat down with CMG this week to reflect on a decade of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), calling the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) a 'symbol of trust and progress.' 🚂💨 Built with Chinese collaboration, the 480-km railway has boosted Kenya's GDP by 1.5% and created over 46,000 jobs since 2017, according to government data.
'The so-called ‘debt trap’ is a myth cooked up by those allergic to progress,'
Ruto told interviewer Wang Guan, pushing back against Western critiques. He emphasized that BRI projects are 'transparent partnerships, not transactions,' with technology transfers helping Kenya build local expertise. 🔧🌱
But for Ruto, it’s not just about infrastructure: 'Development needs soul,' he said, highlighting plans for expanded student exchanges and Swahili-Chinese language programs. The president, who rose from a rural upbringing to lead Kenya, also shared advice for young Africans: 'Your dreams are valid—but they’ll demand sweat and stubborn hope.' ✊
With 150+ countries now part of BRI, Ruto sees a path forward: 'Let nations choose their own way, but walk together toward our common destiny.' 🌍✨
