Kenya inaugurates its new railway and biggest project since independence

On May 31 2017, the Kenyan government inaugurated its new railway, also called Standard Gauge Railway (SGR),  linking the port of Mombasa to the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

The construction of this new railway, 90% funded by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC)  at a cost of $3.3 billion, replaces part of the 1,062km line known as the “lunatic express,” which was built more than a century ago  by the British.

What are the benefits ?
Significant and positive economic effects are expected with this new railway. The government expects the railway to boost GDP by 1.5 percent. It should benefit tourism, said Mohammed Hersi, chairman of Kenya Coast Tourism Association.

The newly built railway will reduce passengers travel time from the capital, Nairobi, to Mombasa from more than 10 hours to four.

The express gives businesses and passengers a cheaper and safer alternative to the notoriously dangerous trip along the sometimes pot-holed single-lane highway between the two cities that is often clogged with cargo trucks. Indeed the cost for passengers is  a very attractive alternative. The cheapest ticket for economy class will be 700 shillings (US$6.75), below the 1,200 shillings for a bus ticket.

Going forward 

The railway will eventually link a large part of East Africa to a major port on the Indian Ocean (Mombassa). Indeed the following phase of a project is to connect Kenya’s landlocked neighbours Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan to Mombasa. Uganda, Kenya’s main trading partner, is expected to start construction of the link between its capital, Kampala, and Kenya’s Malaba border post later this year. Construction is expected to take four years, during which time Kenya is expected to extend its line to Malaba.

Madaraka Express arrives in Nairobi on maiden SGR passenger trip

Sources: Atimes & Abcnews