Meet Woman Spearheading Ksh3.7B Nakuru-Kisumu Railway Project

Eng. Veronica Nyambura photographed at Fort Ternana Station on Monday, March 21, 2021.
Eng. Veronica Nyambura photographed at Fort Ternan Station on Monday, March 21, 2021.
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For years, the engineering industry was considered a preserve for the male gender but women have been making steady inroads in the sector.

For the case of Veronica Nyambura, an engineer overseeing the refurbishment of the Nairobi-Kisumu Railway, the struggle to reach the pinnacle has been tough but her resilience has seen her pull through.

Since joining Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) in 2013, Nyambura observes that the narrative has been changing in the eight years she was in the field.

"The narrative is changing. The possibilities are endless to women and girls nowadays, not only are women getting the positions that were said to be men's, but they are also keeping them," she stated.

Eng. Veronica Nyambura (right) with Rift Valley Commander George Natembeya (cemter) on Monday, March 21, 2021.
Eng. Veronica Nyambura (right) with Rift Valley Commander George Natembeya (cemter) on Monday, March 21, 2021.
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Her hard work has seen her rise through the ranks at the institution to become one of the engineers tasked with overseeing the restoration of the railway line valued at Ksh3.7 billion.

Speaking on Monday, March 23 during an inspection tour of the project, Nyambura expressed optimism that the rail line would add value to Kenya and East Africa.

"The project aims at enhancing the transportation of goods and passengers to Kisumu and the neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania through Lake Victoria.

"It also links Kisumu Port to Naivasha ICD and Mombasa port, opening up the region to very many possibilities," she added.

Nyambura led government officials including Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya on a progress tour. 

She noted that the revival comes more than a decade after the railway line was functional in 2008 transporting goods.

"There were also sections where the embankment had been completely washed away. They included Elburgon, Kedowa, Miwani and Kisumu. We worked together with KDF (Kenya Defence Forces) to reinstate these sections. I am honored to be a part of this process," she noted.

The project, whose construction began in February, is expected to be complete by April 2021.

The revival of the 217-kilometer Nakuru-Kisumu line is being undertaken in conjunction with the KDF Engineers Brigade.

Kenya Railways has previously announced that they are set to launch the Nairobi-Kisumu line this year after years of dilapidation

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A section of the Nakuru-Kisumu railway line that is under rehabilitation.
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