Kenya: Standard Gauge Railway construction ahead of schedule

The construction of the Standard Gauge Railway from Mombasa to Nairobi is ahead of schedule, the Chinese Government has said.

Chinese envoy to Kenya Dr Liu Xianfa said on Monday that 50 per cent of the construction work of bridges, culverts and sub-grade has been completed.

He added that the design of the electric power to be used in the railway, among other crucial work, is also complete. Groundbreaking for the project was done in November 2013 by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"Ever since the start of the construction, the SGR project has achieved significant and vigorous progress," he told workers and dignitaries in Section 9 campsite of the project at Syokimau, just outside Nairobi.

He added, "Currently over 2,000 Chinese and 25,000 Kenyan workers are proceeding with the project."

The Syokimau campsite handles the design and construction of the infrastructure that will handle electric power transmission that will be used by the locomotives. Once complete, the campsite will be the command center of the SGR operation system.

The envoy said that the SGR project has recently established a talent training base that is expected to train more than 15,000 skilled workers as well as 400 engineers and advanced technicians.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet (left) and Chinese Ambassador Liu Xianfa (left) join in the grand finale dance during the Standard Gauge Railway/China-Kenya Cultural Exchange performances at Syokimau Railway Station on Monday. The envoy said construction of the railway from Mombasa to Nairobi is ahead of schedule because 50 per cent of the construction work of bridges, culverts and sub-grades has been completed. Over 2,000 Chinese and 25,000 Kenyan workers are taking part in the project.(PHOTO: COURTESY)

He also announced plans to set up a railway academy to train key Kenyan staff in railway construction, operation and maintenance even after the Chinese are gone.

"Currently, 94 per cent of casual labourers in the SGR project are Kenyans while 64 per cent of skilled workers are also Kenyans. Besides a great deal of construction material like cement and commodities have been purchased locally," he said.

He was speaking during a programme to entertain the SGR workers organised by Confucious Institute of the University of Nairobi which teaches Chinese language and culture to Kenyans.

On his part, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said the security agencies are keen to ensure maximum security for the SGR workers to ensure that they conduct their work without any hitches.

"This is a vital project that will enhance the prosperity and development of our country and the entire region. We will do our best to ensure it proceeds without interruption. This project will cement the ties of friendship between Kenya and China," he said.

During the ceremony, the students and teachers of the Confucius Institute presented an assortment of Chinese songs and dances for the guests.