This archive report was first published on 23 August 2020.
For decades, the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) on the Nairobi-Kisumu line had collapsed, crippling transport in many counties. The most affected were those whose economies relied heavily on agriculture, with perishable, bulky, or low-profit products requiring cheap transport.
However, there is now hope. The Kenya Railways Corporation has embarked on a Sh3.8 billion project under the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) to revive the 217-kilometre Nakuru-Kisumu line.
Already, repairs have started on the adjoining 78km Gilgil-Nyahururu line, which will run concurrently at an estimated cost of Sh500 million. National Youth Service servicemen have been working on the railway project, championed by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Engineers Brigade.
The revamping of the railway network has brought a glimmer of hope to agricultural counties forced to turn to road transport, which is costly and unreliable, especially during harsh weather. Counties set to benefit include Nakuru, Nyandarua, and Laikipia, which have massive agricultural wealth.
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Mureithi noted that over 4,000 animals are transported to Nairobi from the county every month by road, eating into farmers' profit margins. 'As a county, we sell at least 1,000 cows and 3,000 sheep and goats to the Kenya Meat Commission and Burma Market in Nairobi monthly. These are transported by road, which is costly to farmers,' Mureithi said.
Laikipia produces 100,000 litres of milk every month, marketed across the country through the New Kenya Co-operative Creamaries (KCC). 'We have an annual production of at least 1,000 metric tonnes of potatoes and other products such as maize and wheat, which are set to be transported by rail. All farmers have a reason to smile as this railway line comes back to life,' Mureithi added.
Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia said his county produces 100,000 litres of milk daily, 9,000 metric tonnes of potatoes annually, and 100,000 metric tonnes of vegetables annually. 'We have procured road construction machines to improve our road network. Reviving the railway line will help the county cut down the cost of roads maintenance and enhance their durability,' Kimemia said.
Nakuru Deputy Governor Eric Korir noted that the revival of railway transport will boost other industries that closed shop in Nakuru town a decade ago. 'As we look forward to attain city status, the railway line will help in jobs creation for thousands of residents. Transport costs will be reduced by half and this will encourage more industries to set up their bases here,' Korir said.
Defence Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Peter Odoyo said the revival of the railway was in line with already set up ports in Kisumu, Uganda, and Tanzania. 'Governments of the three countries set up ports at the sidelines of Lake Victoria. The Nakuru-Kisumu railway line is the main route. Cargo will be picked from Mombasa, Nairobi, and Naivasha,' Odoyo said.
The project manager, Major Wanjau Karanja, said the government projected the revival to be complete in eight months and see the first cargo trains flagged off. 'All is set on our part, and the rehabilitation works begin immediately. KDF will provide technical support while the Kenya Railways will provide the materials. We are committed to deliver this project within the set timelines,' Karanja said.
Kenya Railways Regional Engineer Veronicah Ngugi explained that the corporation was well prepared for the task ahead. 'We are looking at maximising the use of the railway line as it was in the past. Although the primary goal is cargo transport, we shall have several passenger trains plying the Nairobi-Kisumu line,' Ngugi said.
However, the revival will be a blow to a section of businesses and individuals who had leased properties belonging to the corporation. The tenants have been issued with notices to vacate the properties twice this year.
At the same time, the newly opened Inland Container Depot in Mai Mahiu, Naivasha has seen the volume of cargo collected from the facility rise from 20 to 45 per cent in the last three months. With neighbouring countries preferring to collect the containers from the depot instead of Nairobi and Mombasa, the government has projected a 60 per cent cargo rise in the coming months.
