-
Kinyanjui said the buy Kenya, build Kenya mantra does not apply to the construction industry.
-
The governor said it was the role of every government to protect its people locally and abroad.
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has decried the continued capital flight to foreign countries through companies that are awarded multi-billion-shilling State-funded construction projects.
He said it was unfortunate that billions of shillings in tax and loans has gone to promote foreign contractors over the past few decades and warned that the situation might continue if nothing is done to grow local capacity.
Kinyanjui said while it was true that the local capacity is inadequate, the solution could not be running away from the problem.
“We must develop local capacity and enhance citizen participation in key projects, after all, it is they who will pay these loans,” he said.
While celebrating the growth in infrastructure development ranging from highways, bridges, railways, airports, ports and electricity connectivity, Kinyanjui said it was saddening that all these had been achieved through foreign contractors.
“The growth in infrastructure has opened many opportunities and expanded our economic footprint significantly but all that is going to leave Kenyans poorer if nothing is done to arrest the excess capital flight,” he said.
Kinyanjui said the buy Kenya, build Kenya mantra does not apply to the construction industry.
“It was anticipated that foreign firms would be compelled to work with local firms to build capacity and cushion economy from excess capital flight but this has largely been a mirage,” he noted.
The governor said it was the role of every government to protect its people locally and abroad adding that all Chinese-funded projects are compulsorily awarded to Chinese while Kenyan-funded projects are open to all.
“If this situation is not reversed, we shall continue to witness world class infrastructure, but the users will be poor and hungry Kenyans,” he said.
He observed that foreign firms enjoy concessional funding by their governments, negotiated incentives and tax breaks which locals do not get.