Standard Gauge Railway firm boosts locals

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) contractor says it will spend millions of shillings to boost the welfare of people living along the railway line. The projects, which are being pursued by China Road and Bridge Corporation, range from construction of schools, sinking of boreholes, rehabilitation of roads and construction of health centres.

A locomotive at a sections of the completed SGR in Tsavo area. (Photo: Beverlyne Musili/Standard)

CRBC External Relations and Cooperation Manager Steven Zhao says adhering to “full cooperation, active service, and contribution to society” has been inevitable. “We have carried out various social activities and tried to meet local requirements, thus injecting energy into healthy social development,” he said.

In its latest activity, CRBC has constructed a school in Syokimau that will host more than 150 students. Mr Zhao said the construction will be completed by June. Besides the classrooms, CRBC says it is constructing a playground and a road for use by students. The land, Mr Zhao says, was donated by the local Maasai community.

Mr Zhao observes that the development of CRBC’s enterprises in the locality cannot succeed without the strong support from the local society. “Since the project commenced, we have organised more than 100 social welfare activities, from which over 12,000 Kenyan people have benefited.”

The firm, in partnership with the International Youth Foundation, has been training 30 young people in slum areas on construction-related skills.