In a recent interview with Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty Television, Kenyan political figure and former Vice President, Rigathi Gachagua, openly stated that China’s Belt and Road Initiative is exacerbating systemic corruption in Kenya, leading to a severe human rights crisis including the abduction of critics.
The interview took place on August 9, 2025, in Northern California.
Gachagua expressed that the Kenya-China relationship has shifted from cooperation to exploitation. He said, “Over time, this relationship has become rife with scandals. Billions of dollars borrowed from China have not been used for the public good. There is extensive collusion between Chinese contractors and Kenyan government officials. Most projects undertaken by Chinese companies are filled with corruption… Chinese contractors partnering with government officials have siphoned off most of the funds. And ultimately, it is the Kenyan people who have to bear the burden of repayment.”
He bluntly referred to the Belt and Road Initiative as China’s “economic invasion” of Kenya. He stated, “The Belt and Road Initiative has essentially reduced our country’s businessmen to beggars… Chinese businessmen have even taken over small enterprises – hardware stores, small construction businesses, even street vendors – resulting in our people being pushed out of the market.”
He pointed out that these major infrastructure projects favor China while depriving local Kenyan workers of their rights. “These contracts are inherently opaque. Chinese state-owned enterprises secure contracts while bypassing local oversight, and billions of dollars disappear just like that.”
Over the past two years, international media and human rights organizations have been monitoring and reporting on the continuous disappearance of dissidents within Kenya. Amnesty International and the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights have repeatedly condemned these “enforced disappearances” as serious human rights violations, urging the government to be held accountable.
Gachagua believes that corruption is closely related to political repression. “Young people persecuted by the government have pointed out that these massive Chinese loans are not used for the public good but will ultimately be repaid by the Kenyan people. They express concerns about how China is taking over the Kenyan economy.”
He emphasized that these disappearances openly violate the three fundamental rights protected by the Kenyan Constitution of 2010: freedom of speech, the right to assembly and demonstration, and the right of the arrested to appeal and defend themselves.
“These disappearances are not just attacks on individuals but also assaults on our democratic system,” he said.
Faced with Kenya’s accumulated debts to China amounting to billions of dollars, Gachagua warned that Kenya may risk losing its sovereignty. He said, “This is not just a matter of money. It is about whether we can protect the rights, economy, and sovereignty of our people.” He called on leaders to defend the national constitution and reject external interference, stating, “Our constitution clearly guarantees the rights of the Kenyan people… safeguarding these rights is the responsibility of our leaders, regardless of the threat – whether it be economic exploitation, political intimidation, or foreign intervention.”
In October 2024, Gachagua became the first Vice President to be impeached – the first dismissal since the constitution came into effect. Despite falling out of favor, he still emphasized that the threat to democracy has not disappeared. “This concerns the safety of our citizens, constitutional rights, and the future of Kenya,” he said.
He has announced his candidacy for the Kenyan presidential election in August 2027. He said, “Our message is clear… we have an agreement with you (the current president) in August 2027… we have not forgotten what you have done to our country economically… we will win the election.”
He stressed that if elected as the next President of Kenya, he would engage in a “strategic reset” with the United States based on shared values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. He said, “The United States has always been a traditional partner of Kenya. We share democratic, human rights, and rule of law values. My government will prioritize strengthening these relationships, ensuring that cooperation is based on transparency and mutual benefit rather than exploitation.”
He hopes that future US-Kenya relations will focus on capacity building, anti-corruption efforts, and sustainable infrastructure rather than debt-funded projects. “We wish to cooperate with the United States to invest in projects that are clean, responsible, and truly benefit the Kenyan people, rather than sacrificing our future. The United States can help us restore sovereignty and uphold the constitution.”
He called on democratic countries around the world to monitor China’s Belt and Road behavior, stating, “This is not just Kenya’s problem but a challenge for the entire African continent… the Chinese model is spreading: debt, corruption, repression. If democracy in Africa is lost, global geopolitics will lean towards autocratic regimes.”
Despite the challenges ahead, Gachagua remains steadfast in his beliefs: “Silence is complicity… we owe it to the Kenyan people and future generations to expose the truth about China’s economic invasion and corruption.”