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Clientelism at work? A case study of Kenyan Standard Gauge Railway project

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  • Yuan Wang
  • Uwe Wissenbach

Abstract

Through investigating Kenya’s newly launched Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, this article explores the impact of clientelism on mega-infrastructure projects. This research traces the initiation and implementation of this Chinese-financed and -constructed railway in Kenya, based on over 100 interviews and triangulated with media and policy reports on SGR. We argue that clientelism had mixed effects on holding project management and the government accountable, conditional on the inclusiveness of the patron–client network. In areas where local people and businesses were included in the patronage system, for instance as constituents or trade union members, the patron–client networks held the project management accountable. The patronage system was conducive to corruption and oligopoly when the system only included elites and excluded citizens/businesses. In most situations we found that China has played a less influential role in the politics around the construction management than is generally assumed. This paper provides new evidence to the debate around clientelism and development in Kenya, and the conditions when patronage systems work for and against accountability. Moreover, this research advances the ‘African agency’ position in Sino-African relations literature by showing not only whether but also how Kenyan actors exercise their agency in interaction with Chinese counterparts.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan Wang & Uwe Wissenbach, 2019. "Clientelism at work? A case study of Kenyan Standard Gauge Railway project," Economic History of Developing Regions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(3), pages 280-299, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:rehdxx:v:34:y:2019:i:3:p:280-299
    DOI: 10.1080/20780389.2019.1678026
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    Cited by:

    1. Marson, Marta & Maggi, Elena & Scacchi, Matteo, 2021. "Financing African infrastructure: The role of China in African railways," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    2. Bouraima, Mouhamed Bayane & Alimo, Philip Kofi & Agyeman, Stephen & Sumo, Peter Davis & Lartey-Young, George & Ehebrecht, Daniel & Qiu, Yanjun, 2023. "Africa's railway renaissance and sustainability: Current knowledge, challenges, and prospects," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    3. Murphy James T., 2022. "Urban-economic geographies beyond production: Nairobi’s sociotechnical system and the challenge of generative urbanization," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 66(1), pages 18-35, May.
    4. Carrai, Maria Adele, 2021. "Adaptive governance along Chinese-financed BRI railroad megaprojects in East Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    5. Marson, Marta & Savin, Ivan, 2022. "Complementary or adverse? Comparing development results of official funding from China and traditional donors in Africa," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 189-206.
    6. Chiyemura, Frangton & Gambino, Elisa & Zajontz, Tim, 2023. "Infrastructure and the politics of African state agency: shaping the Belt and Road Initiative in East Africa," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 114271, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    7. Wang, Yuan, 2022. "Presidential extraversion: Understanding the politics of Sino-African mega-infrastructure projects," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).

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