County governments of Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Laikipia, Nyandarua and Isiolo last year agreed to commit Sh25 billion on revival of the 240-kilometre line from Nairobi to Nanyuki in Laikipia County.
The leaders agreed to start by contributing Sh100 million each to jumpstart the revival of the colonial passenger and cargo train service with pockets of optimism that it will facilitate trade in the region.
Nyeri County government executive secretary in charge of trade and investment Diana Kendi said the plans are on course.
The proposal by eight governors from Mt Kenya region to revive the old Nanyuki railway line could just be what the doctor ordered for business and economic growth, leaders have said.
Businessmen under the auspices of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), have lauded the idea exuding confidence that the move will create business opportunities all the way to Ethiopia.
KNCCI Laikipia County chairman Francis Gitonga says the project will convert Nanyuki town into a dry port noting that this would decongest Mombasa and Nairobi.
The chairman said the business community and farmers are set to be the major beneficiaries of the inter-county project.
“It will also save government money for road maintenance and attract investors towards the interior parts of the country. Time and cost of transport are great factors to consider in entrepreneurship,” said Mr Gitonga.
County governments of Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Laikipia, Nyandarua and Isiolo last year agreed to commit Sh25 billion on revival of the 240-kilometre line from Nairobi to Nanyuki in Laikipia County.
The leaders agreed to start by contributing Sh100 million each to jumpstart the revival of the colonial passenger and cargo train service with pockets of optimism that it will facilitate trade in the region.
Nyeri County government executive secretary in charge of trade and investment Diana Kendi said the plans are on course.
A rice farmer and businessman from Kirinyaga county Muriithi Kanga’ra said revival of the railway is long overdue. Mr Kang’ara observes that the railway line will save farmers’ from exploitation and increase access to the market.
“Revival of the transport corridor will subsequently see revival of factories that were closed down. Towns like Sagana and Karatina will become giant economic hubs,” says Mr Kang’ara who is also the Tana Athi Water Services Board director.
However, former security advisor to retired president Kibaki has faulted the multi-billion shilling plan.
Mr Esau Kioni terms the project unviable saying it is a misplaced priority with little economic impact to the residents’ lives.
“There was no public participation before they settled on that project. The public needs to be informed on what haulage will be transported towards and from Mt Kenya using the railway line that cannot be transported using the existing road network,” said Mr Kioni. Speaking in Nyeri town, Mr Kioni called for the project to be abandoned.
Former Nyeri senator Mutahi Kagwe though saying the project was good, questions the county governments’ capacity to finance it.
“County governments on their own do not have external borrowing capacity and cannot be able to build the railway. Nairobi-Isiolo railway is not a cheap venture looking at the terrain and the fact that they want a fast rail,” says Mr Kagwe.
The former Cabinet Minister for Information and Technology notes that railways are the most expensive infrastructure projects to embark on.
“Let us just be honest here, the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway is Sh325 billion. Can you imagine the counties between Nairobi and Mombasa building a Sh325 billion project?” poses Mr Kagwe.
