This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has lamented the harsh assessment of his administration's performance, regretting that some of its achievements have not been acknowledged.
Speaking at the launch of the Syokimau Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) freight services in October 2019, President Kenyatta appeared disappointed over the bad publicity his government was receiving.
He cited the recent launch of SGR services to Naivasha from Nairobi, which was highly criticised and branded the 'train to nowhere'. 'This is a problem of lack of vision. We forget that when the railway started from Mombasa to Nairobi, there was no such thing as Nairobi. Nairobi was created as a function of the railway line that was supposed to be heading to Uganda,' Uhuru said.
The SGR line from Nairobi to Naivasha terminates in Suswa and was funded by the Chinese government at a cost of Sh150 billion. Kenya is banking on this line to increase connectivity with neighbouring countries like Uganda and Rwanda.
President Kenyatta said the launch of the operations at the Naivasha ICD was a step in the right direction since the facility would make Kenya have improved interconnectivity by taking cargo closer to the people not only in Kenya but also neighbouring countries.
He noted that there was already a commitment from one investor who would be opening a new factory in Naivasha next year, noting that there were many others who had expressed interest to set up operations as a result of the railway.
President Kenyatta said the SGR project had sparked development of industrial parks, logistics and commercial hubs as well as special economic zones, which he said would attract further foreign investments and boost business between Kenya and her neighbours.
He added that his administration would soon commence works on the restoration of the rail section 2b that will extend to Malaba via Kisumu from Mombasa.
President Kenyatta said while Kenya seemed to have leaned more towards China for development projects, his administration was open to creating ties with any other country as well.
He added: 'We will not only just work with China, we will work with the world, and that is the understanding that we have. Both our countries are firm believers in multi-laterals, our ability to trade and invest across the world, without hindrance.'
