This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
On October 21, 2019, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) launched Phase 2A, a 120.49-kilometer stretch from Nairobi to Naivasha, amidst great fanfare and controversy. The train, which was flagged off by President Uhuru Kenyatta, was accompanied by a police helicopter and heavily armed security personnel.
The journey from Nairobi to Suswa was smooth, with the train passing through the Nairobi National Park on a 6.563-kilometer bridge, designed to minimize the impact on wildlife. The bridge, which features two abutments, allows animals to move freely through the park, even tall ones like giraffes.
Along the route, the train passes through the densely-forested animal migratory routes used by animals moving between the Nairobi and Amboseli national parks. The Ngong station, designed to resemble a soaring eagle, symbolizes the strength of the locals and serves as a connection point for people commuting from nearby areas.
However, despite the existence of the beautifully-finished station, access remains a big concern for the residents, with little to no infrastructure in place to facilitate easy access. The rail design includes three tunnels, which significantly cut the distance the train has to travel, providing the shortest possible route through the Rift Valley escarpment.
The train smoothly cascades through the escarpments of the Great Rift Valley, with impressive views of forested hills and a continuous mountain skyline dotted with the summits of the Aberdare Ranges, Suswa and Longonot mountains. The location of the Mai Mahiu station was deliberate, with Kenya Railways revealing that it was chosen due to the proposed industrial park that will be built in Mai Mahiu town.
The design of the Suswa station was inspired by the rhythm of the local traditional dancers and local construction materials like brick. The coaches are similar to those used along the Nairobi-Mombasa route, and the first ride was smooth, save for a few bumps during stops at the stations.
