{
  "id": 17615203,
  "title": "Gachagua: Chinese Refused to Fund Railway Over Sh50bn Kickback Demand",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/gachagua-chinese-refused-to-fund-railway-over-sh50bn-kickback-demand",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T14:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/gachagua-chinese-refused-to-fund-railway-over-sh50bn-kickback-demand/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto's administration of attempting to extort a Sh50 billion kickback from Chinese financiers for the proposed Narok–Kisumu–Malaba railway. Gachagua claimed that Chinese investors withdrew their funding after Ruto demanded the commission, causing the railway project to stall. He also questioned the escalating cost of the Rironi–Mau Summit highway, suggesting it jumped from Sh150 billion to Sh200 billion under President Ruto's administration. Gachagua stated that the project was initially planned under former President Uhuru Kenyatta with French involvement, but Ruto negotiated a Sh7 billion payout to the French firm, splitting KES 3.5 billion each for himself and the company. He alleged that the government misappropriated Sh30 billion from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for the highway, and warned that those involved would face legal consequences if he returned to government.",
  "summary": "Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claims Chinese financiers declined to fund the proposed Narok–Kisumu–Malaba railway after President William Ruto’s team allegedly demanded a Sh50 billion commission.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}