Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 14 Oct 2022, 06:42 am Print
File image of Export-Import Bank of China building by zhuxujin on Panoramio via Wikimedia Commons Kenya-China
Nairobi/Beijing: Kenya defaulted on repayment of the Chinese loans, forcing Chinese banks to fine Sh1.312 billion in the year ended June for loan defaults.
Kenya defaulted on repayment of the Chinese loans provided to build the standard gauge railway (SGR), highlighting the country’s struggles with the mounting public debt, Business Daily Africa reported.
Kenya tapped over half a trillion shillings from Chinese lenders, led by the Export-Import Bank of China, to fund the construction of the SGR from Mombasa to Naivasha.
Taxpayers have been forced to shoulder the burden of the SGR loans because revenues generated from the passenger and cargo services on the track are not enough to meet the operation costs, which stood at Sh18.5 billion in the year to June against sales of Sh15 billion.
“This (Sh1.312 billion) relates to the cost of default on interest at one percent of the due amount,” said the disclosure documents seen by the Business Daily.
- ChatGPT: Walmart partners with OpenAI to provide a direct shopping experience from AI platform
- AI-driven restructuring: Accenture lays off 11,000 employees
- Lufthansa is planning to remove 4,000 jobs by 2030
- Amazon to pay $2.5 bln in U.S. FTC settlement over Prime sign-up practices
- IT major Google removes over 200 AI contractors: Reports
