Construction of Nairobi-Naivasha SGR Railway Nears Completion

Construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) phase 2A has entered the final stages, Chinese and Kenya Railways Cooperation officials say.

The officials say the 120-kilometer railway line between Nairobi and Naivasha will be completed by May 31st, 2019.

Kenya Railways Cooperation acting Managing Director Philip Mainga says the project is 90 percent done.

Mainga also says five railway stations at Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Mai Mahiu, Suswa, and Nachu are also complete.

“We have made substantial progress in the construction of phase 2A of the SGR and so far we have laid track on an 86 kilometers stretch. We expect the project to be complete by June this year,” Mainga says.

“The final phase will involve fencing and installation of a signal system. We are also building five intermediate stations and 90 percent of the civil works has been accomplished,” adds Mainga.

The line snakes through Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Nakuru and Narok Counties.

The line is 15 percent financed by the Kenya government and 85 percent by the China EXIM Bank. It will be completed at a cost of Sh150 billion.

The SGR is expected to eventually link Nairobi to Ugandan capital, Kampala via Naivasha, Kisumu, and Malaba.