SELINAH CHITERI 

The construction of the Standard Gauge Railway was a pleasant surprise to many Kenyans.

Besides the reduction in travel hours from Nairobi to Mombasa, many Kenyans can attest that the Standard Gauge Railway has reduced transportation costs to the Coastal region and back.

There has been a rise in domestic tourism as reduced transportation costs translates to increased spending power for many Kenyans who enjoy relaxing in Mombasa and other surrounding towns. 

The array of commuters travelling from different regions has translated to safety for many students as they head to school or home and has given worrisome parents a sense of peace as their children do not have to get into the transport backlog occurring every travel season. 

Its speed and reliability are among the key elements that have made the SGR a convenient mode of transport for millions of Kenyans. Furthermore, the stations provide travellers with modern facilities.

Even beyond the travel, the labour sector has benefited intensely from the project right from the construction stage to its operation.

Despite the negative backlash, the project received, I have come across Kenyans who have been appreciative of the growth they underwent through its construction with many working as unskilled, semiskilled and skilled workers. 

Furthermore, its operation has witnessed progressive skills transfer with the goal of ensuring that Kenyans learn how to operate the trains as well as ensure effective overall maintenance of the metre gauge.

On the other side, the country’s initial railway has also progressively been revived in stages, an undertaking that has not only effectively reduced cost of transport for daily commuters to and from the Central Business District of Nairobi but also saved time wasted in traffic. 

The once dilapidated metre gauge railway has received a new lease of life. Its revival has been critical as the MGR line retains a connectivity role for the areas the SGR does not reach.

In the spirit of ‘Buy Kenya Build Kenya’, the excitement in use of the railway line in various parts of the country offers a clear indication that Kenyans exude a sense of patriotism when they directly benefit from projects that create progress in their daily lives. 

This has been witnessed through a revamp of the railway lines including Nairobi-Kisumu, Nairobi-Nanyuki that has created an avenue for Kenyans to travel at greatly reduced costs to their upcountry homes and transact businesses through affordable cargo transport.

Other revamped routes are the Naivasha-Malaba and Mombasa-Nairobi railways that now greatly complement other alternative forms of transport as well as the daily commuter travel operating in various parts of Nairobi.

Kenyans embracing such projects also translates to a creation of opportunities for growth through provision of goods and services in varying levels.

It is likely to translate to a gradual progress of urbanisation and a revitalisation of many towns that lost glory after the country’s metre gauge railway ceased operations.

In the fast paced environment we are in, Kenyans want to feel the beneficial aspect of infrastructure projects throughout the country.

But this cannot be understood or felt through talk and observation but an intentional resolve by Kenyans to utilise these projects built specifically for our benefit.

I commend the many Kenyans who have shared their experiences in both the SGR and MGR whether good or bad for this is the pathway to embracing our own projects that will eventually usher in amendments to resolve emanating challenges.

— The writer is a graduate student in corporate communication —[email protected]