The Ministry of Transport has announced that Kenya Railways will begin using motorbikes to inspect the Standard Guage Railway (SGR) line after losing billions through vandalism.
In a statement dated Friday, March 1 it was revealed that the corporation already had some motorbikes donated by the Chinese government at its disposal to facilitate the inspections.
It was explained that the use of motorbikes would be more efficient owing to their speed and flexibility to manoeuvre through different terrains.
The use of motorbikes will also help in chasing down vandals.
"The Ministry is working collaboratively with partner countries in the advancement of its roads and transport reform agenda aimed at promoting interconnectivity and enhancing seamless movement of people and goods across the country.
"The Chinese Government also donated motorbikes to Kenya Railways to be used in the inspection and monitoring of the Standard Gauge Railway line to curb vandalism and ensure optimum functionality," read the statement in part.
Since SGR's launch in 2017, Kenya Railways has recorded losses amounting to billions through vandalism. In 2018, it was noted that the vandalism cost KR Ksh1.2 billion.
At the time, the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) noted that equipment worth Ksh300 million was being vandalised every month.
Most of the SGR infrastructure is targeted by unscrupulous businessmen who deal in scrap metal.
The most targeted components of the SGR include signal posts, steel bars and electrical wirings.
Meanwhile, the government has also been pursuing suspects accused of vandalism. Notably, in June 2023, a man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found to have stolen steel bars amounting to Ksh30,000.
