This archive report was first published on 7 July 2019.
On July 7, 2019, Kenya secured commitments from foreign investors to build over 300,000 affordable housing units as part of the government's Big Four Agenda.
Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia announced that two Qatari firms have committed to construct 200,000 houses, while a Chinese multinational will build at least 100,000.
The development follows a visit by the minister to the two countries, where he held talks with Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and the country's Transport and Communications minister Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti.
During the meeting, Mr Macharia urged the Chinese investors to dedicate more resources to manufacturing in Africa and to continue helping Africa develop the skills of its people by admitting more students to Chinese universities and offering internships.
Kenya and China have a long history of cooperation, with Kenya's exports to China valued at Sh11.1 billion in 2018, while imports from the Asian country totalled Sh370.83 billion.
The minister said Kenya and the rest of Africa are uniquely positioned between the world's two largest trading blocks — the USA and China — and that the country's position as the gateway to East Africa and the Great Lakes region has been augmented by the Mombasa port, the recently developed roads, and the standard gauge railway.
