Kenyan Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Chinese Funding of Government Building

The proposed plan for China to finance and construct Kenya's new Sh4.4 billion headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ignited a firestorm of controversy among lawmakers.

Concerns have been raised about the potential erosion of the nation's independence in foreign policy decision-making, given Beijing's significant financial involvement and role as the primary contractor for the project. This revelation, deemed a new development by the National Assembly, has sparked extensive debate and scrutiny. The Budget and Appropriations Committee led by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has sounded the alarm, asserting that China's grant funding and primary contractor status could potentially compromise Kenya's sovereignty. The committee's report, released on June 5th, explicitly states that China's financial support and leading role in the Sh4.8 billion project could jeopardize Kenya's sovereignty and autonomy in foreign policy matters.

According to parliamentary documents, the ambitious project will be predominantly financed by a Sh3.60 billion grant from the Chinese government, with the remaining Sh1.2 billion to be contributed by the Kenyan government. This pledge from China is intended to commemorate 60 years of bilateral relations between the two nations. Last month, Kenyan officials expressed confidence that Beijing's promise would be fulfilled within the next three to four years, anticipating the completion of a new and modern working station for their diplomats. The Director of Asia and the Pacific Directorate Maurice Okoth conveyed the ministry's deep gratitude to the Chinese government for the generous grant towards the construction of the new headquarters. His statement came while addressing an audience that included the Chinese Ambassador to Nairobi Zhou Pingjian.

In May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed a technical team from China tasked with designing the new headquarters, following a commitment made in 2021. The Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs Korir Sing'Oei touts the project as a significant demonstration of the diplomatic ties between Kenya and China. Currently, the Ministry operates out of the Old Treasury Building next to Harambee House along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi, a space deemed inadequate for its needs. The proposed new headquarters are expected to provide a more spacious and modern facility for the ministry's operations.

The debate arises amid growing pressure on Kenya to choose its primary trading partner between the United States and China, highlighting the delicate balance the nation must strike in its international relations. As the controversy surrounding the project's financing continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Kenyan government will navigate this intricate geopolitical landscape while safeguarding its national interests and sovereignty.