Standard gauge railway experiencing delays

Kenya: The construction of the Sh327 billion standard gauge railway (SGR) is experiencing delays due to land disputes. According to Project Manager Maxwell Mengich, compensation has stalled as some land owners are involved in ownership wrangles, with the National Land Commission urged to settle the cases.

"Issued from Mombasa to Athi River covering a 30km stretch have derailed the earthwork from going on, but we expect the land title deed issue to be resolved by next year as the earthwork continues," Mengich said last week while inspecting work at Mtito Andei.

"We expect to have done 70 per cent of the earthwork by the end of this year to pave way to lay the foundation of the railway line."