In the corridors of Western power, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is often dismissed as a debt trap or a tool of hegemony. But stand at the terminus of the SGR in Nairobi, or drive on the Expressway, and the perspective changes. In a fractured global order, high-quality cooperation is not a luxury; it is a survival strategy.

The world is splitting into blocs. Protectionism is rising in Europe and America. In this context, the BRI represents one of the few global initiatives still focused on connectivity and physical infrastructure.

Infrastructure as the Bedrock

For developing nations like Kenya, the debate is not abstract. We need roads, ports, and digital backbones. The West offers lectures on governance; the East offers concrete and steel. While the debt burden is a legitimate concern that must be managed, the utility of the assets created is undeniable.

• Trade Efficiency: Reduced travel times between cities boost internal trade.
• Digital Silk Road: Huawei’s involvement in our 5G rollout is controversial in Washington but essential in Nairobi for the digital economy.

The Way Forward

The future lies not in choosing sides, but in "multi-alignment." We must engage with the BRI for infrastructure while engaging with the West for institutional strengthening and human rights. High-quality cooperation means negotiating better terms, ensuring technology transfer, and demanding transparency.

The BRI is evolving from big infrastructure to "small and beautiful" projects in green energy and health. This aligns with Kenya's own climate goals. To ignore it because of geopolitical pressure would be an act of self-sabotage.

In a world building walls, we must be the ones building bridges—literally and figuratively.