Trump Top Official in Kenya to Counter China Invasion

US top government officials are set to arrive in the country on Saturday for a tour aimed at boosting business with Kenya and countering China's investments in Africa.

The officials are drawn from a state agency tasked with helping American private companies do business in developing countries.

The delegation will be led by Ray Washburne, the president of the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation (Opic).

During their tour to Kenya, Opic officials will hold meetings with Kenyan officials to outline the agency's three-year, $1 billion "Connect Africa" initiative.

Daily Nation reports that Opic will particularly be seeking to support the Sh300 billion 470-kilometre Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, which will be constructed by US engineering company Bechtel.

The Express highway, the first one of its kind in East and Central Africa, has been facing challenges, especially on financing.

“The Chinese are in with ports and railroads and highways -- things that we need to be in as a competitor," Mr Washburne said last week during a stop in South Africa.

Washburne also reiterated President Trump administration warnings to Africa on the rising China debt, which has now hit $126 billion.