China’s Belt and Road Initiative’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project in Kenya is an intriguing example of the influence China’s infrastructure aid can have on a country’s democracy and economy. The documented ramifications remain significant reminders of vital lessons learned. This BRI Monitor Brief focuses on the undemocratic processes used to borrow money and select contractors, the consequences for Kenya’s public debt burden and the railway’s economic impacts on Kenya’s private sector. It concludes with recommendations for strengthening and democratizing Kenya’s finance and procurement processes.
