Road construction projects boost China's image in Kenya

Ongoing and completed road construction works in Kenya have immensely boosted China's image among Kenyans.

The roads, a first in Kenya, have demystified and cemented China's image in the minds of citizens of the East Africa's biggest economy, many who now associate Chinese with finesse, quality and perfection.

Before the start of the road constructions, many Kenyans associated China with bogus and cheap products.

The Asian giant was best known for cheap apparels, utensils and electronic items. It was common to hear Kenyans cracking jokes about Chinese items.

"Is that mobile phone made in China? That is why we cannot communicate well," a person would be told even if they did not have a Chinese-made handset.

But entered Thika superhighway and the image of China has completely changed among Kenyans, including those in rural areas where the road's fame has spread.

The 353 million U.S. dollars thoroughfare that stretches from Nairobi to Thika turned around China's image in Kenya. The eight- lane 30 km road stretching from capital Nairobi to Thika, an industrial district, not only attracts local tourists, but has also become the point of reference of China and activities that relate to them.

The Chinese in Kenya are now known for construction of better roads than anything else. Their works and name always pop up in many conversations, especially those that involve traffic jams, poor road network or construction.

"The government should offer the Chinese the contract to build this road. The traffic jams are going to kill us," noted a passenger recently in vehicle along Outering Road on the east of the capital.

The pot-holed road, which heads to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), has become a pain, with motorists damaging their vehicles and spending hours in traffic jams every morning and evening.

Interestingly, the road joins the Northern bypass and Thika superhighway, which are in perfect form.

"This road was constructed recently but just look at how it has degenerated. It is barely two years since it was re-carpeted but it is now full of potholes. The government let the Chinese rework on it," noted another passenger.

Soon, all the passengers in the vehicle were discussing about Chinese road construction works.

"It took the Chinese about two years to complete Thika superhighway as big as it is, yet it has taken a local contractor over three years to build a 10 km road in Upper Hill area in Nairobi. Why give such people jobs yet the Chinese can complete the project on time and do quality work?" noted a female passenger.

Another passenger took the conversation outside Nairobi. "I am come western Kenya. For the past three years, a certain contractor has been building the main highway to Kisumu yet he has not completed it. The road is in bad shape, making us suffer each time one is travelling up country. I wish they had given the work the Chinese," said the man.