The head of the United States government agency that helps private businesses invest in developing countries is wooing Kenya to award the contract for construction of Sh300 billion Nairobi-Mombasa expressway to American engineering firm Bechtel.
Ray Washburne, the President and CEO of the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation (Opic) on Tuesday said Bechtel would “provide value for money” in the multi-million dollar project.
“Whether it’s transportation, digital networks, or value chain, reliable connectivity has the power to transform emerging market economies,” Mr Washburne, who arrived in Kenya over the weekend, said.
He added: “And, the American private sector has the ability to play a huge role in this growth by bringing critical investment, value, and American business practices.”
Washburne came to Kenya to explore investment opportunities for US private companies amid China’s increasing influence in Africa.
His tour to Kenya is part of a six-nation trip in Africa as Opic, through the new Connect Africa initiative, plans to invest more than $1 billion in transportation, technology and value chains in the continent.
“Africa is a long-standing priority for Opic and accounts for about one-quarter of the agency’s $23 billion global portfolio. With the new Connect Africa initiative, OPIC will focus on investments that will foster a more connected and prosperous future for Kenya and all of Africa,” said a statement from Opic.
I support this Chinese not…
I support this Chinese not to Monopolize. Peana Betchel..watupe pia 50 years guarantee..I guess they can deliver google their projects if what is on website is what to go by..https://m.youtube.com/user/bechtelcorporation
Hehehehe in exchange of…
Hehehehe in exchange of making jkia category 1???We know u the WEST but to tell the truth Kenyan gava cannot escape to return the deal.My Questions Are why don’t we give this USA company contract to build tram services or electric train inside the Nairobi n it’s metropolitan counties kiambu kajiado,Nairobi,machakos to decongest the city instead of hii Highway to nowhere juu sgr is there to carry mizigos.This Mombasa rd expansion will double its price coz wazungus will hike it $$$ ikienda juu.
“My Questions Are why don’t…
“My Questions Are why don’t we give this USA company contract to build tram services or electric train inside the Nairobi n it’s metropolitan counties kiambu kajiado,Nairobi,machakos to decongest the city instead of hii Highway to nowhere”
@Mkenya Halisi-Why don’t you tell that to your influencial friends who you wine and dine with at the golf club
The US does not have all the…
The US does not have all the that Trams and Trains even in some parts of the US like the south. This exist in only big major cities. They do not have money to build Trams/Trains in all the States. “I’m just informing ya’ll, they want to compete with Chinese but they are too late.
@jayne reed that’s very true…
@jayne reed that’s very true.They cannot even afford bullet trains like Spain or the ones in Asia yet they call themselves supa powers.They know they don’t have cash anymore n that’s why they r scared they will loose African Marker to Chinese which they had done?We had them for over 50 years n they did nothing to us poverty levels increased,diseases increased heavily yet they call themselves number one in research?They could have concentrated with developments n they will b reaping big too.Anyway let’s watch the Chinese continuing to outdo them.But they r welcomed to bid for projects coz it’s about competition.Africa the next frontier n majority of wazungus country want a slice of it while the indigenous black Kenyans continues to runaway from their country while foreigners grabs the opportunities.