Nairobi: Kenya has turned to South Africa to revamp its old railway network, as it seeks solutions within the continent to revamp its railroad networks. During a three-day state visit to Pretoria, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta invited South African state-owned engineering company to revamp and upgrade its railway system.
President Kenyatta is seeking solutions within the continent to improve its railway system countrywide after Kenya failed to sign an agreement with a French company in July this year to fund a light rail from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Nairobi’s city centre. During President Kenyatta’s visit in Paris in July, Kenya failed to ink $144 million financial deal to fund the infrastructure plan.
Kenyan Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said that the French trip did not lead to the signing of the deal that was meant to fund the construction of the five-km metre-gauge line linking the airport to the standard gauge rail (SGR) terminus in Syokimau. Earlier agreements had provided for the signing of the loan pact by June 30 this year when President Kenyatta was in France.
The deferring of signing means that the rail project, whose construction was initially set for August this year following a deal agreed between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Kenyan counterpart in March 2019, faces further delays. The loan was also meant to support the revamping of the old 17-km railway track that links to the SGR line at Syokimau, construction of two airport stations, a terminal at Donholm and an automatic fare collection system.
Kenyatta was optimistic that Kenya partnering with Transnet Engineering Company will complete pending railway infrastructure project in the country. “The advanced engineering that is taking place here is a clear indication that Transnet can be a leading partner in working together with other African countries to restore their rail-stock. We look forward to working with you as we move towards fast tracking the restoration of our railway system,” said the Kenyan President.
During his South Africa the visit, Kenyatta signed eight trade agreements to boost bilateral trade and address trade imbalances between the two countries. They will partner in transport, health, diplomatic consultations and training as well as tourism and migration. They also signed a bilateral air services agreement (Basa) as well as MoUs on government printing works, and the return of illegal entrants and nationals refused entry.