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Work on EA standard gauge railway starts in 2012
The Kenya Railways Corporation managing director, Mr Nduva Muli. Photo/PETERSON GITHAIGA
Posted Monday, August 23 2010 at 00:00
Following the concessioning of the operations of Kenya Railways to Rift Valley Railways (RVR), the corporation was turned into an asset authority to manage non-conceded assets.
However, the infrastructure RVR is using still belongs to Kenya Railways.
Thus, Kenya Railways’ role is to ensure that the concessionaire does not abuse assets and provides service.
Kenya Railways is now mainly concerned with safety issues, performance, the environment and passenger tariffs.
Today, a wagon takes a month from Mombasa to Kampala and back.
The current track — normally known as the Kenya-Uganda Railway — was built on the route of least resistance because of lack of machinery and technology to build bridges.
It therefore meanders around difficult terrain.
However, the standard gauge line will be different.
It will move out from Mombasa and pass through Konza, behind Ngong Hills, Maimahiu, Naivasha.
Trains destined for Kampala will not pass through Nairobi.
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When I read this I as disappointing. It seems our "leaders" don't have the required sense of urgency. First they must realize there is NO WAY any country in East Africa will become a high performance economy without a good rail network. It is just not possible. Then they should act like they truly want to develop there countries and make this a national/regional priority. No rail = No Real Industry Period.
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