Kenya’s Infrastructure Boom Profits Hidden In Plain Sight

A critical examination of the stakeholders behind Kenya’s infrastructure projects and their true beneficiaries

By:   Midmark Onsongo

Worth Noting:

  • The hyperbole surrounding the SGR is reminiscent of a mirage in the desert, shimmering with promise yet ultimately deceptive. Kenyan politicians, clad in suits and promises, stood before the cameras, declaring this project a game-changer, while citizens watched their lives stagnate.
  • The very fabric of the Kenyan economy hangs in the balance, stretched thin by repayments that will stretch to 2027, when the full weight of this financial burden will settle in. With a national debt surpassing $70 billion, the paradox lies starkly in front of us: is this infrastructure revolution a phoenix rising from the ashes, or a vulture circling, ready to feast on the remains of our economy?

You see, even fools grow old. Can you imagine a nation burgeoning with ambition yet shackled by the chains of debt? In Kenya, where every new road and towering building glimmers with the promise of progress, a deeper story lurks beneath the surface, hidden in plain sight. This is not merely an infrastructure boom; it is a dazzling masquerade, where the true beneficiaries wear masks, and the people remain in the shadows, waiting for the spotlight of prosperity to shine upon them. With the Kenyan government pouring billions into grandiose projects, one must ask: who really profits from this rush of development? Are we building a future or digging a grave of debt that the next generation will have to pay for?

In 2013, Kenya embarked on a monumental journey with the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a project that promised to revolutionize transport by linking Mombasa and Nairobi in a matter of hours. Costing a staggering $3.6 billion, funded predominantly by Chinese loans, this endeavor was touted as a marvel of modern engineering. However, as the first train chugged out of Mombasa, what was initially celebrated soon became a haunting refrain of regret. The irony here is palpable: while trains sped across gleaming tracks, Kenyan taxpayers were left holding the bag, with debt repayments projected to consume a significant chunk of the national budget. This raises a rhetorical question—are we truly moving forward or merely moving in circles?

The hyperbole surrounding the SGR is reminiscent of a mirage in the desert, shimmering with promise yet ultimately deceptive. Kenyan politicians, clad in suits and promises, stood before the cameras, declaring this project a game-changer, while citizens watched their lives stagnate.

The very fabric of the Kenyan economy hangs in the balance, stretched thin by repayments that will stretch to 2027, when the full weight of this financial burden will settle in. With a national debt surpassing $70 billion, the paradox lies starkly in front of us: is this infrastructure revolution a phoenix rising from the ashes, or a vulture circling, ready to feast on the remains of our economy?

Imagine a painter meticulously crafting a beautiful landscape, only for the viewer to realize that the colors are merely a façade, masking a canvas riddled with cracks. This is the reality of Kenya’s infrastructure development; glistening highways and sprawling housing projects are often juxtaposed with the grim reality of soaring youth unemployment, which currently hovers around 40%. In a land where opportunity is a fleeting dream, the bright lights of development cast long shadows of despair. The oxymoron of growth amid hardship is disheartening; how can a nation pride itself on advancement when its people remain marginalized?

The Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor project further exemplifies this dissonance. Launched in 2012 with an estimated budget of $24 billion, LAPSSET was envisioned as a transformative project that would enhance trade and bolster regional integration. Yet, as with the SGR, the promises of prosperity have often been met with skepticism. The paradox remains: while foreign firms secure lucrative contracts, local communities face displacement and economic disenfranchisement. The tragic irony is that the very people who should benefit from these projects find themselves pushed aside, their voices drowned out by the din of machinery and the promises of progress. As we delve deeper into the quagmire of Kenya’s infrastructure projects, it becomes evident that political interests play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape. Politicians like former Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia have become synonymous with these mega projects, often seen as both champions of development and architects of controversy. The lines between public service and private gain blur dangerously, with whispers of corruption and cronyism echoing through the corridors of power. It’s a classic tale of synecdoche; the few individuals at the top wield immense influence, overshadowing the needs of the many. Anecdotes from the ground reveal a stark reality: small-scale businesses and local entrepreneurs are often left out in the cold. When the government announces a new infrastructure project, the anticipated influx of jobs and economic opportunities frequently fails to materialize for the average Kenyan. Instead, it’s the well-connected contractors and foreign investors who reap the rewards. This asyndeton of benefits for the elite, while the masses languish, is a bitter pill to swallow for those who believed in the promises of development.

Social media, the modern agora, has become a powerful tool for expression and dissent. Hashtags like #KenyaIsNotForSale and #EnoughIsEnough have trended as citizens express their frustration over perceived injustices. This digital activism symbolizes a burgeoning consciousness among Kenyans, a collective realization that the time for change is now. Yet, one must wonder: will this outcry translate into tangible change, or will it dissipate into the ether, lost among the countless empty promises that have come before it? The chiasmus of hope and despair reverberates through the nation as citizens grapple with the reality that their future hangs precariously in the balance.

As we peer into the crystal ball of Kenya’s future, the specter of the next general election looms large in 2027. Politicians will once again don their capes of hope, promising progress and prosperity. But will the electorate be swayed by the allure of slick slogans and empty rhetoric, or will they demand accountability and transparency? The path forward must be paved with the voices of the people, an awakening that shouts, “No more!” to the exploitation and deceit that have long characterized the landscape of Kenyan politics. In this grand tapestry of Kenya’s infrastructure boom, it is imperative that the narrative shifts. The citizens deserve to see the fruits of their labor, not just in the form of roads and buildings but in the quality of life that accompanies genuine development. As the construction cranes loom over the cities, let them not symbolize merely the architecture of ambition, but the hope of a nation united in the quest for equality and justice. The question that remains, however, is whether Kenyans will continue to play the role of passive spectators or rise as active participants in the narrative of their nation. The time is ripe for a new paradigm, one where the profits of mega projects are shared equitably, where the voices of the marginalized are heard, and where the promise of infrastructure translates into genuine opportunities for all. As we stand on the precipice of a new era, let us not forget the power that lies within the people; after all, in the grand scheme of development, it is the citizens who hold the keys to the kingdom, and it is their time to demand the wealth that lies within the heart of their nation. So, as the dust settles on the construction sites and the noise of machinery fades, let the real work begin: the work of forging a future that serves all Kenyans, not just the privileged few. The echoes of change are calling, and it is up to us to answer with clarity, conviction, and courage. After all, Kenya’s true infrastructure must be built not only from steel and concrete but from the collective spirit and determination of its people, determined to break free from the shackles of exploitation and claim their rightful place in the narrative of their own development.

This article was scripted by;

MIDMARK ONSONGO, SGS

(Socio-Geographic Scholar

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Projects Done!