Kenya just launched a modern railway, the Standard Gauge Railway. The takeoff has opened a new chapter in the transport sector, one that many hope will steer the economy forward. Over the years, Africa has lagged behind the Western world because of its poor state of infrastructure - the lifeline of industrialisation.

 

As a nation, we should pat ourselves on our backs for this great fete. The benefits accruing from the new railway are immense. I salute the Jubilee Government for making the SGR dream a reality. Robust economic growth cannot happen in an environment devoid of infrastructure. Benard Amaya, Nairobi

 

The flagging off of the Standard Gauge Railway this week by President Uhuru Kenyatta heralds a new era for Kenya’s railway transport system. Despite the controversy surrounding the procurement process, the completion of the huge investment is commendable. Needless to say, strategic investment in infrastructure that supports the growth of economy in this country has been lagging behind due to inability to use modern transport.

 

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The completion of state of the art railway that runs from Mombasa to Malaba will revolutionise the country’s transport and business landscapes and reinvigorate the regional economy. Joseph Muthama, Thika.