SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2014

Railway to earn Kenyans Sh130bn

 

A section of the standard gauge railway that President Kenyatta launched recently. Infrastructure spending in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow by 10 per cent over th e next decade. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA  NATION MEDIA GROUP 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) gives a speech next to (L-R) Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, and South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on May 11, 2014 after the signing of the Standard Gauge Railway agreement at the State House in Nairobi. AFP/PHOTO

By MATHIAS RINGA

 

Kenyan workers, suppliers and contractors will earn Sh130 billion out of the Sh327 billion that will be used in the standard gauge railway project, a Kenya Railways boss has said.

The amount is 40 per cent of the project’s funds and had been reserved for direct benefit of Kenyans, said the rail firm’s chairman General (Rtd) Jeremiah Kianga.

“Kenyan companies which supply building materials should grab the opportunity and benefit from the Sh130 billion set aside for local service providers,” he said.

The work will be undertaken by Beijing’s China Road and Bridge Corporation. However, labour and some building materials would be obtained locally, said Gen Kianga.

Counties endowed with building materials such as sand, ballast and cement stand to benefit.

The chairman said recruitment of skilled workers was in progress at railway camps in Kwale, Taita Taveta and Makueni.

SEEK EMPLOYMENT

He urged Kenyans who possess skills for railway construction to seek employment at the camps.

In addition, he said suppliers of building materials and providers of various services would be invited through tenders.

Gen Kianga called on counties in which the proposed railway line will pass to make money from the project by providing labour and materials.

Speaking in Kilifi when he and other railways officials paid a courtesy call on Governor Amason Kingi on Thursday, he said the county had quality sand, ballast and stones which would be used in the construction.

Other counties that would directly benefit, he said, include Kwale, Taita Taveta and Makueni.

Gen Kianga, in addition, urged county governments to help Kenya Railways and the National Land Commission to acquire land for the railway line.

That would ensure speedy construction from Mombasa to Nairobi, he said.

Acquisition of privately-owned land was a challenge for the corporation, said the railways boss.

“The national government has already provided funds for compensating private land owners,” he said.

Mr Kingi said political leaders were opposing the standard gauge railway project because information on its benefits was lacking.

He urged Kenya Railways to create awareness on the project and involve local communities in the work.

“Some leaders and communities oppose good projects such as the standard gauge railway because they lack information.

COMMUTER SERVICE

“I am glad that the corporation officials have visited us and given us first-hand information on the project. I fully support the construction of the railway line,” he said.

However, the governor urged Kenya Railways and the Chinese company to consult with counties to ensure fair recruitment of workers, suppliers of building materials and sub-contractors.

President Kenyatta inaugurated the project in November last year.

Meanwhile, the government plans to construct a commuter railway line to serve Coast residents.

Work, according to Gen Kianga, the line will start at Ramisi in Kwale County and end in Lamu County.

The line would pass through Mariakani, Kaloleni, Takaungu and Malindi in Kilifi County, he said.

 

87 Railway to earn Kenyans Sh130bn

SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2014

Railway to earn Kenyans Sh130bn

 

A section of the standard gauge railway that President Kenyatta launched recently. Infrastructure spending in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow by 10 per cent over th e next decade. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA  NATION MEDIA GROUP 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) gives a speech next to (L-R) Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, and South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on May 11, 2014 after the signing of the Standard Gauge Railway agreement at the State House in Nairobi. AFP/PHOTO

By MATHIAS RINGA

 

Kenyan workers, suppliers and contractors will earn Sh130 billion out of the Sh327 billion that will be used in the standard gauge railway project, a Kenya Railways boss has said.

The amount is 40 per cent of the project’s funds and had been reserved for direct benefit of Kenyans, said the rail firm’s chairman General (Rtd) Jeremiah Kianga.

“Kenyan companies which supply building materials should grab the opportunity and benefit from the Sh130 billion set aside for local service providers,” he said.

The work will be undertaken by Beijing’s China Road and Bridge Corporation. However, labour and some building materials would be obtained locally, said Gen Kianga.

Counties endowed with building materials such as sand, ballast and cement stand to benefit.

The chairman said recruitment of skilled workers was in progress at railway camps in Kwale, Taita Taveta and Makueni.

SEEK EMPLOYMENT

He urged Kenyans who possess skills for railway construction to seek employment at the camps.

In addition, he said suppliers of building materials and providers of various services would be invited through tenders.

Gen Kianga called on counties in which the proposed railway line will pass to make money from the project by providing labour and materials.

Speaking in Kilifi when he and other railways officials paid a courtesy call on Governor Amason Kingi on Thursday, he said the county had quality sand, ballast and stones which would be used in the construction.

Other counties that would directly benefit, he said, include Kwale, Taita Taveta and Makueni.

Gen Kianga, in addition, urged county governments to help Kenya Railways and the National Land Commission to acquire land for the railway line.

That would ensure speedy construction from Mombasa to Nairobi, he said.

Acquisition of privately-owned land was a challenge for the corporation, said the railways boss.

“The national government has already provided funds for compensating private land owners,” he said.

Mr Kingi said political leaders were opposing the standard gauge railway project because information on its benefits was lacking.

He urged Kenya Railways to create awareness on the project and involve local communities in the work.

“Some leaders and communities oppose good projects such as the standard gauge railway because they lack information.

COMMUTER SERVICE

“I am glad that the corporation officials have visited us and given us first-hand information on the project. I fully support the construction of the railway line,” he said.

However, the governor urged Kenya Railways and the Chinese company to consult with counties to ensure fair recruitment of workers, suppliers of building materials and sub-contractors.

President Kenyatta inaugurated the project in November last year.

Meanwhile, the government plans to construct a commuter railway line to serve Coast residents.

Work, according to Gen Kianga, the line will start at Ramisi in Kwale County and end in Lamu County.

The line would pass through Mariakani, Kaloleni, Takaungu and Malindi in Kilifi County, he said.

 

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