The government plans to have the Standard Gauge Railway extended from Nairobi to Naivasha. This was revealed yesterday at a meeting in Voi between President Uhuru Kenyatta and officials of China Roads and Bridges, which is constructing the railway line between Mombasa and Nairobi.
The extension of 120km will link special industrial zones to be established at Naivasha, which is home to the Olkaria geothermal power plants. To attract investors at the specially designated zones near Olkaria, the government will offer subsidised power tariffs. Firms will also have their power connected directly from Olkaria to ensure uninterrupted supply.
The government also plans to set up many industrial parks along the SGR route. Already, the Ministry of Industrialisation has identified land for this purpose in Mariakani, Voi, Naivasha, Athi River and Emali.
Industrialisation and Enterprise Development Cabinet Secretary Aden Mohamed said the ministry is in talks with the owners of land near the train stations and expects that acquisition will be completed by within the next financial year.
“We must to everything in our power to ensure that the SGR is delivered on time and on budget,” President Kenyatta said. “There must be no laxity in terms of delivering what is one of our most transformational projects.”
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