The Kenya Standard Gauge Railway marked a major milestone on Thursday as the Madaraka express passenger service celebrated one year in operations. The Madaraka Express is a freight and passenger train service initiated by the China Roads and Bridges Corporation on May 31, 2017. It earned Sh1bilion in revenue in its first year of service.
More than 1.3 million passengers have commuted on the SGR and demand increases every day. The service’s popularity is largely attributed to the numerous benefits it holds over other forms of mass transit in Kenya. Many passengers speak highly of the unparalleled comfort of the train’s coaches.
Speaking on Thursday during the colourful ceremony, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy to Kenya, Professor Guo Ce hailed the SGR as an engine for Kenya’s economic development and a project that brings real benefits to people.
”The SGR is an example of a joint operation that has showed that the bilateral relations between Kenya and China can yield benefits to both parties economically. It is also important to note that China is a critical player in the implementation of the Big Four agenda of President Uhuru Kenyatta”, says Prof Guo.
According the the Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina, one of SGR’s biggest accomplishments in its first year was the introduction of an inter-county service train in September 2017 with the inaugural stops in Voi and Mtito Andei stations.
“Since we started, the trains have been full throughout – the lowest recording being in the region of 85 percent, noted Maina. “Otherwise we’ve been at 100 percent occupancy. Government policy was to first ensure that Kenyans can move as fast as possible safely efficiently for business and leisure so we don’t see ourselves increasing the fares over the next one year.”
Due to the growing need for better transportation in Kenya, the Kenya and China and Communication construction company signed an agreement for construction of the SGR phase 2A that will connect two counties between Naivasha and Malaba
In a statement by Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, he alludes to more job opportunities with the new project.
“We believe that more opportunities will be available for Kenyans to further drive the country’s development and specifically infrastructure agenda,” said Macharia.
Passenger service is a success, however SGR was also built primarily to improve and increase cargo transport. The government now targets 11 daily freight trains from Mombasa to Nairobi by November this year and China has expressed its satisfaction with the train and has assured of more support in the coming year.
“It is a great opportunity to witness the first anniversary of the Madaraka Express with my Kenyan friends. During the past one year, we have successfully launched the train – over one million passengers have used the service, resulting in a constant coach occupancy of over 95%.” says Mr. Li Quanhuai, Chairman of CRBC Operations
Over 30,000 Kenyans have found employment as a result of the Kenya-China partnership. 900 students who trained at the Railway Training Institute under the SGR programme and Partnership have been absorbed into the Madaraka Express Operations. More are currently undertaking studies on railway technology in order to carry out the remaining work ahead.
