- The Chinese government threatened to impose economic and trade sanctions on Kenya over alleged hostility

- China has currently not committed to the construction of second phase of Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Kisumu

- President Uhuru Kenyatta is struggling to strike a balance between the foreign lender and local businessmen

- Department of Fisheries cancelled applications for imports of Chinese fish and banned the same commencing January 2019

- China referred the move by Kenya as waging trade war and threatened to retaliate with cutting funding

The chances of funding the next phase of the Standard Gauge Railway line from Nairobi to Naivasha have drastically reduced after China, the main financier of project, threatened to impose trade sanctions on Kenya.

China is angry with Kenya's move to cancel all applications for importation of fish from its market, terming the move as a trade war which the Asian giant said it would retaliate by cutting economic ties.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Afisa wa trafiki acheza densi barabarani, asahau habari ya hongo (video)

Kenyan leaders and traders had raised concern over the influx of Chinese fish in the local market. They said the imports were killing local sector. Photo: UGC

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Jacque Maribe could spend another night in remand despite court granting her bail

Speaking to a section of Kenyan politicians on Tuesday, October 30, China's Acting Ambassador Li Xuhang confirmed Kenya's department of fisheries had served their consulate with a letter imposing the ban of importation of fish from its market.

"We have received a letter from the department of fisheries canceling all fish importation applications from China. The move is shocking and we could respond to it the way we did with the US after it imposed tariffs on goods from our markets," Xuhang said.

The department of fisheries was prompted to make the notice by President Uhuru Kenyatta's proposal to government officials to devise creative means to ensure Chinese fish which had flooded local market does not get into the country.

China has been adamant to commit to the funding and building of the second phase of the SGR line from Nairobi to Naivasha. The 120kms line requires about KSh 150 billion. Photo: Kenya Railways

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Kenyan women parade their cleavages on Facebook after man offers 20k to the best

China has delayed the funding of the SGR line from Naivasha to Kisumu already in what seems to be a silent protest against Kenya's treatment.

Uhuru did not manage to secure the funding when he traveled to Beijing on Friday, August 31, to attend the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation.

TUKO.co.ke understands Susan Imende, director general of fisheries department issued a notice to traders stating applications for importation of Oreochromis niloticus Tilapia, majorly produced by China, would not be allowed in Kenya beginning January 2019.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV