This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
Nairobi-Naivasha SGR Line Set for Grand Launch ¶
After months of delay due to a compensation dispute, the Nairobi-Naivasha standard gauge railway (SGR) line is finally set to be launched on October 16.
Passenger services will be available at four stations: Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Maai Mahiu, and Suswa. The launch of the line will provide commuters with an alternative route to beat the notorious Ngong Road traffic.
According to Kenya Railways acting managing director Philip Mainga, passenger services will start on October 16, but details on fares and frequency of trains were not disclosed.
Mainga stated, 'Passengers will start using the route on Wednesday,' without providing further information.
The Nairobi-Naivasha line is a key component of President Uhuru Kenyatta's pet project, the SGR, which is set to be one of his greatest legacies.
China Communications and Construction Company (CCCC) built the Nairobi-Naivasha line and has been conducting test runs on the new line ahead of the launch.
Naivasha sub-county commissioner Mbogo Mathioya announced that President Uhuru Kenyatta will commission the line at Mai Mahiu and also launch the Inland Container Depot (ICD) located within the planned Dry Port near Mai Mahiu town.
The completion of the line had been delayed by a compensation row that affected 1,810 persons, particularly in the 35km stretch between Embul Bul (Ngong) and the Nairobi National Park.
The launch of the Nairobi-Naivasha line will take the length of the SGR line in Kenya to 595km, with the 472km Mombasa-Nairobi line commissioned in May 2017 and generating billions of shillings through its popular passenger and cargo services.
