Connectivity challenges to Kenya’s neighboring countries due to mammoth movement of goods is soon to become a thing of the past.
This after the expansion of the 24 km meter-gauge railway (MGR) line from Mai Mahiu Inland Depot Container (ICD) to Longonot town in Naivasha.
Kenya Railways Managing Director (MD) Phillip Mainga said the completion will quicken the process of ferrying goods from Mombasa to neighboring countries as the railway was faster than the road by over ten days.
“Thirty percent of cargo on our roads is destined for regional countries and with the connectivity omplete we expect to use the railway line to ferry this cargo,” said Mr. Mainga.
Previously there were connectivity challenges in evacuating goods to the neighboring countries.
The Ksh.3.5 billion project for test trial by the Kenya Railways recently sparked reactions from the parliamentary committee on finance and planning following concerns over the profitability of the project after touring the ICD and the meter-gauge railway line.
The extension is set to connect the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) with the meter-gauge railway MGR.
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The Longonot Railway Station will play an integral role in the transportation of passengers and cargo towards Malaba and Kisumu County, which is intended to cut the costs incurred when ferrying goods from the Port of Mombasa to Uganda.
Upon completion of trails in November this year, the line will be commissioned paving way for full operation.
Kenya Railway said the line has been constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
According to the government, the future of transporting cargo in the region lay in the railway as it remains fast, cost-effective, efficient, and safe.
Commercial train transport on the Nairobi-Kisumu route will also be relaunched in November once the renovation of the 216-kilometer line is finalised.
This means traveling between Kisumu and Mombasa will now offer commuters an opportunity to enjoy both the old Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) and Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
