CS Murkomen finally releases details of SGR loan agreement between Uhuru’s govt, China
Roads, Transport and Public Works Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, has finally made public contract details of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) that cost taxpayers Ksh670B.
Speaking during his vetting National Assembly's Committee on Appointment, the newly sworn-in CS vowed to release details of the mega infrastructural project that former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime had closely guarded.
Murkomen stated that Kenyans needed to know whether the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) was used to guarantee the loans acquired to finance the project.
"I have spoken to everybody I thought was a person of influence in government and privy to the SGR contract, but they have said they have never seen the SGR agreement. I don't want to name those I spoke to, but once I get into the office, I will look for it," Murkomen told the Wetangula-led committee during his vetting.
Murkomen shares copies of SGR contract
The CS has this evening revealed on his social media platforms that he has shared copies of the SGR agreement with the National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah and his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot.
The former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator also indicated that he had shared copies of the 42-paged document with the media.
As promised I have released the SGR agreements to the people of Kenya. I have given a copy to the Majority Leaders @KIMANIICHUNGWAH and @Aaroncheruiyot for them to table in the respective Houses of Parliament. I have also shared a copy with the media. pic.twitter.com/Emu61EDiEo— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) November 6, 2022
"As promised, I have released the SGR agreements to the people of Kenya. I have given a copy to the Majority Leaders Kimani Ichungwa and Aaron Cheruiyot for them to table in the respective Houses of Parliament. I have also shared a copy with the media," he posted.
Preliminary reports on the SGR agreement indicate that the Kenya Ports Authority committed to creating inland ports, including in Nairobi, where the ports agency would manage the inland ports.
Part of the agreement indicates that if Kenya defaults on the SGR loans, the Chinese government can take over KPA without notifying the Kenyan government.
