Are Kenyans now seeing the fruits of the Standard Gauge Railway Project? The battled project has now become something to celebrate for Kenyans. A project that has continued to be a popular and preference mode of transport to many despite the cracks that are exposed within its implementation strategies.
Initially some leaders and citizens rebuked it and some even wanted it to be brought to a halt. The number of cases that have also been reported to taint the railway transport almost brought the government to split with the sponsors behind it. Even so, allegations of racial discrimination that led to an uproar by Kenyans.
Did you hear the case in which the Chinese were alleged to have their own private canteen at the station in which Africans were not allowed in?
And many more of it that was quickly rubbished a couple months ago by the Cabinet Secretary in the ministry of Transport and Infrastructure; James Macharia who simply said that the racism allegations might have been a misunderstanding..”There has been a misunderstanding. Is it racial discrimination or we do not have cultural integration.” he said
Controversial much yet today Kenyans laud it and recognize the efforts.
Recently the SGR announced that there were new developments of the SGR project a great milestone of holing through of the Ngong Tunnel. The tunnel, which is the first on Kenya’s SGR network, is 4.5km long and is on Phase 2A of the SGR (Nairobi – Naivasha). Also indicated that Kenya now has the longest tunnel in East Africa following the completion of the Ngong tunnel.
Since its launch in 2017 the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has carried 2,000,000 passengers as of November 2018, with it has enhanced directly and indirectly the livelihoods of many Kenyans.
Kenya is set to become the second country in Africa, after South Africa, to have the longest railway tunnel, a 7.14km civil engineering feat on the escarpment between Nairobi and Naivasha tunnel.
Kenyans also see it as a boost to the economy since it has led to employment and construction of business structures along the railway.
Have a look at the reactions from Kenyans
A year after its inauguration, the SGR is on the path to steering Kenya to greater heights of economic development. Nothing exemplifies this better than the fact that since July 10, 2018, SGR has been operating 14 freight trains daily between Nairobi and Mombasa.#SGROnCourse pic.twitter.com/E9AyTTh3Yb
— Sir Ezer, MBS. (@Kipezer) November 9, 2018
We know you love the SGR , but we do not know why you love it. Give your reply!
Mine: It is super fast, and relatively cheap ! #SGROnCourse
— MugamboWaAfrica (@MugamboWaAfrica) November 9, 2018
To date, an estimated 300 Kenyan youth have been trained on railway technology courses in locomotive and rolling stock engineering, signaling, telecommunications control and transport management. #SGROnCourse pic.twitter.com/GRpTXDERcP
— Kibet Benard (@KibetBenard_) November 9, 2018
Were all the negative issues addressed? Are Kenyans really satisfied with the execution of this project? Well apart from it being cheaper and faster.. Are Kenyans enjoying the fruits?
#SGR makes a 10billion loss, but guys still coin a silly hashtag saying #SGROnCourse. What course?
— Nūmero Uńo (@owenhabel2) November 9, 2018