NAIROBI – The Kenya Railways Corporation has said it will ensure the country fully reaps the economic benefits of the standard gauge railway project that is being implemented by the Kenya government.

It touts job creation as the low-hanging fruit, with 30,000 new jobs expected in the course of building the new railway line that is replacing the old colonial one. The Kenya Railways Corporation, which is the lead agency in implementing the government project, said thousands more jobs will arise from associated business opportunities of the project, including small retail and food businesses.

"We are promising individuals, Kenyans and businesses that they will reap optimally from the new jobs and commercial opportunities from the project,” Kenya Railways Corporation managing director Atanas Maina said.

Maina argued that the contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation, a Chinese firm, will source for raw materials from Kenyan suppliers.

"The supply of materials will create at least 30,000 new jobs. Another 3,000 new jobs are expected to be created since contractors will require certain services like accommodation, catering and entertainment.” 

The first phase of the railway project will run from Mombasa to Nairobi at an estimated cost of sh327b. This project is part of the large East African Community infrastructure development programme that will see a standard gauge railway line built from Mombasa to Kigali, through Kampala. The project, one of the many that will be done by the regional bloc, aims to offer reliable and affordable transport means for businesses and ordinary East Africans. 

The EAC member countries also plan to build a joint oil pipe line to serve Kenya’s landlocked neighbours, Rwanda, Uganda and the Eastern Dr Congo.