Suspicions Raised Over Possible Chinese-Only Athi River "Friendship" City

A tweet based on an article by the Business Daily Africa raised question of a Ksh 200 billion "friendship" city to be built in Athi River. The city is to be built later this year by a Chinese real estate group.

James Hall tweeted;

Friendly place. China to build "Friendship City" in Kenya starting later this year, spending US$2billion (maybe US$7.5bn when finished) on new industrial town where Chinese investors will work, live. But it will be OK for Kenyans to work/live there too. https://t.co/usAMWyTsFe pic.twitter.com/ZUyDTMV3GS

— James Hall (@hallaboutafrica) March 23, 2019

He got interesting responses from concerned Kenyans;

How colonialism slides into your DM

— Khana Khaseveve TCC (@Khana5TCC) March 24, 2019

That's a good point - will the development be financially viable? If not, another reason to be suspicious that it's moving forward.

— James Hall (@hallaboutafrica) March 24, 2019

You know me so well!

— James Hall (@hallaboutafrica) March 23, 2019

The article reports that :

Beijing Damei Investment Company, a Chinese construction giant, on Wednesday said the project -- dubbed the Friendship City -- will be modelled along the mega Chinese parks that comprise homes, factories and amenities like hospitals, schools and shopping malls all in one location.

The city, whose construction starts later this year, will sit on about 1,200 acres of land in Athi River, Businessman Bobby Kamani said Thursday, while disclosing that he has shareholding interest in the multi-billion-shilling project through his Zuri Group of companies.

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