Chinese projects changing lives in Kenya

NAIROBI - At the University of Nairobi, Kenya's top university, a new multi-storey building under construction is taking shape.

The towering edifice, whose construction started in May 2013, is surrounded by a green nylon material as construction standards demand.

However, the protective material fans curiosity among students, lecturers and workers alike, who are eager to see how the building that will host several lecture theatres, administration block and a helipad, looks like.

The 26-million-U.S.-dollar tower is a few months away from completion, and the students are eager to use it.

"This will be the tallest building in the university. I am very happy about its construction," said Vincent Njoroge, a second year sociology student, adding that he hopes to take some of his lectures in the facility once it is completed next year.

Tentatively named University of Nairobi Towers, the 22-storey building that is being constructed by China Wuyi Co., Ltd, is set to transform operations at Kenya's biggest university and change the city's skyline.

The University of Nairobi Towers is one of the many buildings and projects constructed by Chinese companies that are changing the city, businesses, and the lives of Kenyans.

In Kenya, the Chinese are mainly carrying out various infrastructural projects in different sectors that include energy, transport and real estate as relations between the East African nation and China soar. Among them, Thika Superhighway that connects downtown Nairobi and Thika town in the city's northeast, has been the most well-acclaimed project.

Constructed at a cost of 360 million dollars, the road cemented China's construction authority in Kenya, and introduced the Chinese to the ordinary Kenyan.

"Thika superhighway is the best thing to have happened to Nairobi residents living in estates along the road. Initially, we would take up to two hours to reach the city centre during peak time but this has come down to about an hour," said media worker Fred Ojwang, who lives in Kahawa.

Ojwang noted that the improved infrastructure has seen public transport vehicle (matatu) operators increase the number of fleets and new players have come in.