Title: The Internationalization of Chinese State-Owned Companies in Kenya
Author/Institution: E. Gambino – PhD Thesis, University of Edinburgh Publication Year: 2022
China’s Expanding Development Footprint
E. Gambino’s doctoral research examines how Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have reshaped Kenya’s infrastructure landscape through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Focusing on flagship projects such as the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor and the Standard Gauge Railway, the study traces how these ventures intertwine trade ambitions, state diplomacy, and corporate strategy. Gambino argues that Chinese SOEs function not merely as commercial actors but as instruments of statecraft—advancing Beijing’s geopolitical interests while embedding new models of development finance and construction governance in East Africa.
Methodological Approach and Empirical Insights
Drawing on extensive fieldwork in Nairobi, Lamu, and Beijing, the thesis integrates policy analysis, interviews, and contract reviews to map how Chinese investment practices adapt to Kenya’s political and regulatory context. Gambino finds that SOEs operate through hybrid arrangements blending state backing with commercial pragmatism, allowing flexibility in managing risk, labor relations, and environmental compliance. Yet, this same adaptability often obscures accountability and sidelines local participation. The study highlights how Kenya’s quest for rapid industrialization has produced uneven development outcomes, where mega-infrastructure projects deliver connectivity but also spark displacement and ecological strain.
Implications for Infrastructure Governance and Regional Autonomy
Gambino concludes that Kenya’s experience illustrates both the promise and peril of China’s infrastructure diplomacy. While Chinese-led projects have filled critical investment gaps, they also expose weaknesses in domestic regulatory capacity and community engagement. The thesis calls for regional governments to strengthen negotiation frameworks, enforce transparent procurement, and build institutional safeguards that protect local interests. Ultimately, The Internationalization of Chinese State-Owned Companies in Kenya offers a nuanced understanding of how global power is exercised through roads, rails, and ports—and how the legitimacy of such projects depends on balancing national ambition with local accountability.