We'll bring back Chinese technology to build Kenya, say students

The 19 students who secured Chinese scholarships have said they will transfer some of the technological skills home to boost the country’s economy.

The 2024 cohort on Friday toured some of the Chinese-led projects in Mombasa, including the Mombasa Meter Gauge Railway station that is at least 90 per cent complete.

Once complete, the station will cut costs for passengers using the SGR to Nairobi and other parts.

“It will cost only about Sh50 from town to Miritini where the Mombasa SGR terminal is located, using the commuter rail,” said Harrison Kimani, the deputy manager of SGR Dispatch Centre in Nairobi.

He spoke at the Mombasa train station, which seeks to decongest the Mombasa terminus.

At the moment, passengers using the SGR have to pay at least Sh200 from town to the Mombasa SGR terminus in Miritini.

Kimani is also a member of the China alumni team comprised of Kenyans who went to China on scholarships courtesy of the Chinese government.

He said it was important for the students who secured scholarships to get a feel of Chinese-led projects and the workmanship.

“It is also important to give them the awareness of how it shall be once they graduate from China and come back to work with the Chinese people,” Kimani said.

The SGR is part of the Chinese-led Belt and Road Initiative. It seeks to connect cities, countries and continents to ensure seamless flow of goods and people.

This in turn is expected to ensure there is increased production from various countries both in terms of imports and exports of products, which increases job opportunities.

Technical University of Kenya assistant lecturer Grace Odhiambo will be going to South East University in Nanjing City, China.

She will be pursuing a PhD in civil engineering and construction management.

“We got this link through the Ministry of Education. The interview process was very rigorous. We waited for quite some time, but we got our final feedback from the Chinese embassy, which has been very supportive,” Odhiambo said.

She said she is excited for the opportunity to study in China.

“I am very honoured. It is amazing. We were very many participants, almost 200, but only 19 of us have been able to qualify.

“I look forward to going there and explore the amazing opportunities that are there.  China is known to be among the best countries with the best construction technologies,” Odhiambo said.

She said once she competes her four years of studies in China, she will have gained skills, experience, exposure and networks to come back to Kenyan and help transfer them to the economy.

She encouraged Kenyans to apply for such opportunities saying they are real.

“The process of application is not easy. So don’t give up so fast. When I began, I think I tried thrice but it did not happen. But I kept pushing and pushing until eventually it went through,” she said.

Emmanuel Kiprop is headed for Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics for a degree in aircraft design and engineering.

“I hope to go and develop myself in my field of study and come back to Kenya to help in such projects, apart from building the nation’s economy,” Kiprop said.

He said it was his lifelong dream to visit China.

“China is a beautiful country and it has been an aspiration to visit there,” he said.

So far, 65 Kenyans have benefited from the Chinese scholarship programme this year.

More than 2,000 students have been sent to China under the government scholarship programme.

Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala said the government was grateful to China for supporting the education of Kenyan students by offering scholarships.

“We urge the students to step forward and grab every opportunity that comes by. University education is critical to realise improved productivity and spur socio-economic development,” the PS said.

She said the support was a testimony of the 60-year ties between Beijing and Nairobi.

“I am gratified that our bilateral relations stretch 60 years. This shows that China is a friend we can rely on.”

This year’s scholarships have been awarded at various levels of studies from Bachelors degree, Masters and PhD.

Kenya-China Alumni Association chairperson Henry Rotich urged the students to go the extra mile and make Kenya proud.

“We have alumnus all over the world and they are contributing towards culture and economic development including leading initiatives that drive technology innovation as well as social activities,” he said.