An association of property developers from China to be based in Kenya was unveiled Thursday at a colourful ceremony held in Nairobi.
The launch of the Chinese Property Developers Association Kenya (KCDA) is happening amid the expectation that it will boost property development in the country. It’s expected to meet the needs of the sector, while also ensuring properties are well-planned, organized, and cost-effective.
The Association’s President Zhang Jiaping said the association has been established as a platform that will act as a bridge to serve society and benefit humanity.
“We will take promoting the healthy development of the real estate industry as our mission and strive to provide better and more sustainable housing products,” he said
Guided by the aspirations of the people and leadership of Kenya, Zhang said the association will act per government approvals and construct according to approved drawings.
Hu further indicated that the Chinese Property Developers Association（Kenya） will ensure the quality of structures is the best while providing high-quality housing to Kenyans.
“The Association will ensure construction safety and provide a good working environment for employees,” added Zhang
At the same time, the President noted that the association will seek to protect the rights and interests of property owners.
“We will cooperate with the government’s industry management and standardize the real estate market; the association will strive to become a leader in industry development, promote industry standards, and protect the rights and interests of citizens and partners,” he said
“The Chinese developers will build units whose prices are not expensive. It will be at a level which people can afford,” added Gao Wei, the chairman of the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja welcomed KCDA to launch operations in Kenya’s capital urging its leaders to get down to business and give the city the best. He said they have proven that they can handle development control, environmental concerns, and opportunities. This, he added, will ensure order for the benefit of the growing city, its residents, and investors.
“I met with the leadership of the association a few days ago and we agreed to work together to ensure the future of the city and planning is done well. It is our role to ensure that standards are adhered to, to avoid illegal development in the city. I call upon all developers to ensure their structures align strictly with the city’s vision, and ensure safety and aesthetic standards,” said the County boss
“It is unfortunate that we have seen some buildings in the city of Nairobi and the surrounding areas collapsing due to structural issues, and this is often due to unscrupulous developers disengaging the services of key professionals. I know the Chinese are not that kind of developers,” he added
Addressing the launch, Counsellor Miao Miao of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya said the association is the model of China-Kenya friendship which she noted is based on mutual benefit and win-win results. She said Chinese private developers in Kenya have made a positive contribution to Kenya’s national development and improvement of housing units, while creating a large number of local jobs.
“China and Kenya have always walked side by side on development and have become politically trustworthy good friends and good partners for win-win cooperation. In recent years, the two sides have carried out high-level exchanges through Belt and Road cooperation,” she said
The association says it will also actively participate in social welfare undertakings. Recently, its members raised more than Ksh.11 million. The money was used to purchase various items for Kenyans in need.
“Kenya is our second home. We have grown and developed in this land. We will actively participate in public welfare undertakings and give back to the local society,” CPDA-K President Zhang Jiaping
