Kenyans Online Angered by Untranslated Chinese Writings at the New 7.4-Kilometre Ngong SGR Tunnel

A photo of untranslated Chinese writings at the just completed Ngong Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) tunnel has angered a section of Kenyans online.

The image, which was shared by State House director of Digital Innovation and Diaspora Communications Dennis Itumbi on Monday evening, features several untranslated Chinese writings.

"Kenya is officially home to the longest railway tunnel in East Africa. SGR Ngong Tunnel completed," Itumbi captioned the photo in a tweet.

Kenyans on social media were quick to note the symbols only written in Chinese with many asking whether the tunnel was actually in China or in Kenya.

ODM party director of communications Philip Etale asked: "Longest railway tunnel in China or Kenya?... lol."

@Omoroh4 said: " Am saddened by the large Chinese writings with no Swahili translation. Ukoloni mamboleo."

@jobransupplies noted: "Someone would be forgiven for thinking this is Beijing, China."

@navz_otwosh tweeted: " This looks like a Chinese train station...these guys will soon own all our title deeds."

Anne Njenga said: 'Kenya is an English speaking country, why are the signs written in Chinese/Mandarin with the bigger caption versus English being the bigger caption??? most of the time the signs do not have the English translation...."

Thamaini Kinywa noted: "Colonization in progress. Starts with enforcing their language and culture on us. The Europeans did."

The Ngong tunnel stretches for 7.41km and is set to be the second longest railway tunnel after 13.6 kilometer Hex River Tunnel in South Africa. The tunnel is part of the SGR railway section between Nairobi and Naivasha whose construction will be completed mid-2019.