The government is set to rehabilitate 56 old Standard Gauge Railways (SGR) trains and purchase 21 new coaches in a bid to increase the transport capacity and reduce transportation costs.
In the Fourth Medium-Term Plan released by the National Treasury on Thursday, March 21, the government unveiled a plan to restore confidence within the rail sector by upgrading it to global standards.
In the past month, the number of Kenyans using the SGR dropped, with previous spot checks carried out by Kenyans.co.ke showing empty seats for the service.
The worrying statistics indicated the high cost of living prompting Kenyans to refrain from using rail transport as their preferential mode of transport.
At the same time, Kenya Railways will also purchase 21 new locomotives to boost the number of coaches in the sector.
On the other hand, the Corporation will also construct the SGR phase 2B comprising Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba (369Km), Lamu-Mariakani SGR and Miritini-Mombasa SGR Terminus (30Km).
In addition, the government also unveiled plans to complete the LAPSSET corridor which is aimed at fostering trade ties among Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan at an estimated cost of Ksh13.8 billion.
This will involve the implementation of the Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) SGR comprising of Lamu–Isiolo (544.4Km), Isiolo–Nairobi (278.6Km), Isiolo–Nakodok (753.2Km) and Isiolo–Moyale (475.9Km).
Aside from the railway sector, other components of the corridor involve highways, oil pipelines, special economic zones and utility projects.
The transformation of the SGR sector is part of the overall plan to revitalise the rail transport sector across the country.
This involves the rehabilitation of Longonot-Malaba Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) phase II, the development of a 21-kilometre Nairobi Central Station-Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) MGR line and the revamping of 118.6 km of Voi-Taveta MGR.
The plan also involves the completion of Nairobi Railway City by establishing an expanded Central Station, new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines and stations as well as revamped matatu termini to allow seamless integration within the public transport sector.
