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Kenya to open $1bn Chinese-built railway line

The second phase of Kenya’s new railway line, connecting the capital Nairobi to the Rift Valley region, will be opened today for passenger services only.

Cargo services will have to wait for the construction of a dry port, which could take longer than planned after the local Maasai community moved to court to oppose its construction.

The 120km (74 miles) stretch has been built by the China Communications and Construction Company at a cost of 150 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.4bn; £1.10bn).

Passenger services will only be available in four of the 12 stations, The Business Daily newspaper quotes Kenya Railways head Philip Maing as saying.

The entire line, initially planned to reach Naivasha town, has not been completed and ends kilometres away from any major town or population, the Daily Nation newspaper reports.

Its launch lacks the fanfare witnessed at the opening of the first phase – which cost $3bn to build – running from the coastal city of Mombasa to Nairobi in May 2017.

The Standard Gauge Railway line project has cost close to three times the international standard and four times the original estimate.

The government explained the reasons for the high cost include the terrain that required many bridges, tunnels and land compensation.

About 80% of the money for the railway came through loans from China.

The initial plan was for the railway to run from the coastal town of Mombasa to the lakeside town of Kisumu, and a possible extension to Uganda. But in April the Chinese government pulled the plug over viability concerns.

The country will now need to borrow an additional $3.3bn to complete the project.

Source: BBC

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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