terrible chinese
exporting inflation and deflation and not importing deflation and inflation
just building constructing and erecting, endless, and everywhere
infrastructure, more public works, and still more
the africans, so flush w/ construction over the past 200 years must say no to false largess and fake generosity, per elmat school of economic betterment
best to wait for the other nations of true scale and natural dimensions to step up in the future, so the needy can experience instead of 18 months ahead of schedule, 18-180 years too late
<sarc>
bbc.com
Kenya opens Nairobi-Mombasa Madaraka Express railway
EPA
The railway is financed by the Chinese government
Kenya has opened a major new railway between the port city of Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi, 18 months early.
President Uhuru Kenyatta said during the launch that the $3.2bn (£2.5bn) Chinese-funded line signalled a new chapter in the country.
He warned that he would authorise the execution of vandals after four people were arrested damaging sections of a guardrail.
It is Kenya's biggest infrastructure project since independence.
Africa Live: More updates on this and other stories The new railway in pictures Kenya's gospel trainThe 470km (290 miles) line is supposed to eventually connect land-locked South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia to the Indian Ocean.
Last week, Mr Kenyatta secured an additional $3.6bn from China to extend the railway line 250km (155 miles) west from the central town of Naivasha to Kisumu.
Mr Kenyatta, who is touting his development record as he seeks a second term in August's election, said the railway line heralded a new chapter in Kenya's history:
"A history that was first started 122 years ago when the British, who had colonised this nation, kicked off the train to nowhere... it was then dubbed the 'Lunatic Express'."
"Today... despite again a lot of criticism we now celebrate not the 'Lunatic Express' but the Madaraka [named after the day Kenya's attained internal self-rule) Express that would begin to reshape the story of Kenya for the next 100 years."
Michael KhateliThe line is supposed to eventually link several land-locked countries to the Indian OceanThe cost of the project has been criticised by opposition parties, who say it is too expensive and the economic returns exaggerated.
The government says that it needs to invest in infrastructure to attract foreign investment.
Kenya's new railway at a glance:Cost $3.2bn (£2.5bn) Funding for the 470km (290 miles) project was provided by China It took three-and-a-half years to build, using Chinese track-laying technologyThe line is supposed to eventually connect land-locked South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia to the Indian OceanCuts the journey-time from Mombasa to Nairobi to four-and-a-half hours, compared to nine hours by bus or 12 hours on the previous railwayAn economy class ticket will cost 900 Kenyan shillings ($9; £7), slightly cheaper than a bus ticket. A business class ticket will be $30. 'Vandals to be hanged'On Monday, police arrested three men for vandalising sections of the railway and are pursuing charges of economic sabotage.
Mr Kenyatta said such vandalism would not be tolerated:
"I acknowledge that the presidency gives me the right to pass laws... those found vandalising the infrastructure... I will pass a law for them to be hanged."
 
The spectacular Mombasa terminus was designed to resemble waves and ripples in the water radiating from the central tower
Michael Khateli |
