Private companies could soon be allowed to operate the country’s railway infrastructure after the Ministry of Transport proposed a law allowing the same.
If the bill which is currently undergoing public participation becomes law, private entities will be allowed to participate in the running and expansion of some of the country's railway tracks.
According to the Ministry of Transport, the proposed reforms aim to open access to the government-monopolised railway infrastructure for the private sector.
In his proposal, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir also seeks to construct a railway station in Nyeri County as part of the measures to expand the country's railway infrastructure.
However, the bill proposes the separation of the operational aspects from the regulation functions of the sector. By this, the government will only be allowed to regulate the operations of private entities.
“One of the benefits that the bill will bring to the sector is that it is going to open the system in such a way that anyone who for instance may want to construct a rail line can make an application and do it," revealed Ms Brenda Mwango, a legal officer from the Ministry of Transport.
"The Ministry also hopes to enhance efficiency in the provision of services in the railway sector, which last saw reforms in 2005. The bill seeks to introduce a new way of operating the railways in the country," Mwango added.
The latest proposal comes amid controversy over the government's plan to lease out the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to an Indian conglomerate, Adani Company.
The Kenya Airports Authority in July this year revealed it had reached a public-private partnership with Adani for the infrastructural development of the airport.
KAA disclosed that Adani would preside over the construction of a new passenger terminal, the establishment of a second runway and the refurbishment of the existing facilities within the airport.
However, the move has since attracted a public backlash with KAA workers forced to stage demonstrations in a bid to block the deal which they claimed would render them jobless.
The airport workers while voicing their grievances, accused the government of striking the deal without their input.
