The standard-gauge railway in Kenya consists of the approximately 480 kilometers-long Mombasa-Nairobi segment, or the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, and the approximately 120 kilometers-long Nairobi-Suswa segment, or the Nairobi-Malaba Railway. It is the largest infrastructure project in Kenya since gaining independence and serves as the flagship project to realize Kenya Vision 2030.
The Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation, was completed and opened on May 31, 2017. As of September 30, this year, the railway has operated safely for 2,314 days, transporting 2.405 million TEUs of cargo and 28.609 million tons of goods. It has also carried 11.155 million passengers, with an average passenger occupancy rate of 95.8%, and a record-breaking daily passenger volume surpassing 10,000 individuals. The estimated contribution to Kenya’s GDP by the Kenya railways authorities exceeds 2%.
At the Nairobi Railway Station, Jafar Barmaki, the Iranian Ambassador to Kenya, watched passengers board, and expressed his admiration for the convenience this modern railway has brought to the Kenyan people. He stated that, “building public transportation networks like roads and railways benefits both the nation and its people and significantly improves their living standards.” Khalid Abdullah Al-Salman, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Kenya, occasionally took out his phone to capture the scenic views from the train. He commented, “This is my first time riding the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway and the journey is comfortable, providing a fantastic experience.”
“The Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway is an outstanding project in Africa. As more “Belt and Road” cooperation projects are implemented, more African countries and people will benefit,” emphasized Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, the South African Ambassador to Kenya. He highlighted that the high-standard Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway not only reduces travel time between Nairobi and Mombasa but also enhances the efficiency and quantity of freight transport, stimulating the development of related industries.
“This is the tangible outcome of China-Kenya practical cooperation and serves as an exemplary project of China’s technology transfer contributing to Kenya’s development,” said Dmitry Maksimychev, the Russian Ambassador to Kenya, who made his first trip on the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway and genuinely experienced the mutually beneficial results of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. He mentioned that the railway connects Kenya’s inland and coastal regions, driving economic growth along the line, and characterized it as “a path to development and prosperity.”
The Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway passes through various wildlife conservation areas such as Nairobi National Park and Tsavo National Park. To minimize its impact on the environment, the railway is equipped with over 14 large wildlife passages, more than a hundred bridges, and hundreds of culverts to ensure the free movement of wild animals. Sound barriers have also been installed on the railings of a major bridge that crosses Nairobi National Park to reduce noise during train passage. Maksimychev acknowledged the project’s contribution to sustainable development from an ecological perspective, stating, "The Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway promotes sustainability, with its construction taking environmental protection into full consideration, minimizing its impact on the environment.”
On that day, Mwench, a member of the Consultation Committee of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and Zhou Pingjian, the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, also rode the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway together. Mwench was heading to Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. He stated that the “Belt and Road” Initiative, which was proposed ten years ago, has brought significant benefits to Africa. He believes that this year’s summit forum will further summarize experiences, reach more consensus, and contribute to global economic recovery and development.
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