The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) on March 4, announced that it has so far paid National Youth Service (NYS) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Ksh1.8 Billion to revamp old railway lines.
By using KDF and NYS, Kenya Railways saved billions by opting not to engage a contractor which could have otherwise cost Ksh18 billion.
KRC Managing Director Philip Mainga explained that the company was spending a fraction of what they could have paid a private contractor.
“When we did a cost-benefit analysis, we saw that using a contractor would cost about Ksh18 billion, which was too high. So we looked at other options and did it with Ksh1.8 billion.
“We recalled all former KRC employees who are still in a position to work and also engaged KDF and NYS,” the director divulged.
On his part, KRC chairperson Omudho Awitta added that KDF took on more of the complex work while the NYS cleared the bushes that had obstructed the railway lines.
“We brought in the engineers from KDF to work on the embankments, viaducts, and bridges while NYS cleared the lines because they were covered by shrubs and all sorts of things.
“By using these government and railways staff, even as we pay them, it is not the same amount we would have paid the contractors,” the KRC chair conveyed.
The Nairobi- Nanyuki line which is already in use was rehabilitated at a cost of Ksh1.2 billion. The line is used in ferrying cargo and passengers to the central part of Kenya.
The operation has however not been as smooth as expected. In January 2021, a train stalled in Kiganjo on its way to Nanyuki.
Currently, KRC is in the process of rehabilitating other lines including the Longonot Malaba and Kisumu lines. After its completion, the line will connect with the Standard Gauge Railway which currently terminates at Mai Mahiu.
