The first section of Kenya’s planned US$13.8-billion railway project is nearly complete.
The rail line was originally planned to link Mombasa and Nairobi, but a decision was made to extend it to the market town of Naivasha in 2015, and 75% of civil works have reportedly been completed, according to the consulting firm, CPCS, hired by the Kenya Railway Corporation.
This first Mombasa-Nairobi stretch will be completed by June 2017. Freight trains on this route will be able to carry up to 25 million tonnes per year, according to the International Railway Journal.
Eventually, the East Africa Railway Masterplan will link Mombasa with other major east African cities such as Kampala in Uganda, and Juba in South Sudan.