The newly refurbished Nairobi-Nanyuki Railway line is projected to open up several economic opportunities in the Mount Kenya and Northern regions, Petroleum Principal Secretary Andrew Kamau has said.
Speaking during a familiarisation tour of the line in Nanyuki Wednesday, Eng. Kamau said one of the benefits will be cheaper and safer fuel for consumers in the regions.
“As government we are very excited that with funds that came from KPC, Kenya Railways has been able to execute this project within a few months and we look forward to its commissioning very soon,” Kamau said.
“I am happy that we already have an anchor client for this rehabilitated line in the name of Vivo Energy Kenya who are ready to utilise the line by ferrying fuel from Nairobi to Nanyuki for easy access to consumers in several counties in this region,” he added.
The PS was accompanied by his Transport counterpart, Solomon Kitungu, who noted that that the line will open up several economic opportunities beyond Laikipia County.
“I congratulate Kenya Railways for the speedy completion of this project because the economic benefits of this refurbished line especially in agriculture will go beyond the Mount Kenya region to other neighbouring counties. There will also be fewer accidents on our roads hence saving on lives,” Kitungu said.
PS Kitungu observed that the Ksh1.8 billion rehabilitation of the line will contribute significantly to the realisation of the government’s Big Four agenda.
On his part, Laikipia County governor Ndiritu Muriithi projected a Ksh1 T boost to the region’s economy.
“This line will not only enable us to import critical products such as fuel and farm inputs, but it will also improve our capacity to export our homegrown agricultural products to intended markets on time and in an efficient way,” the Laikipia county boss said
“With this line, I see Nanyuki becoming a natural logistics hub for more than 10 counties in this region. Besides the line easing our logistics in the way we conduct our business, there is bound to be significant growth for Nanyuki,” Muriithi said during a tour of Vivo Energy depot in Nanyuki.
Vivo Energy Kenya termed the rehabilitated 240-kilometre line as a big win.
“Kenya Railways, and by extension government, has made it possible for us to remove over 300 trucks of fuel from our roads every month hence saving on our roads,” Vivo’s Government Relations Manager Genesio Mugo said.
“This is a big win for us because as Vivo, we will now introduce safety not only on our roads with the reduction of trucks but also our environment because of reduced cases of deadly fires, accidents and pilferage,” Mugo added.
Kenya Railways expects to generate over Sh370.4 million in revenue per year.
