Nairobi- Naivasha SGR extension to start in September

The Transport Ministry has clarified that the second phase of the standard gauge railway (SGR) is yet to start despite revelations that the contractor was already on site.

According to transport Permanent Secretary Irungu nyakera, China Roads and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) had already set up camp in Narok County ahead of the commencement of the project in September.

The ministry is yet to sign off on the preferred rout the 150 kilometer railway will take, pumping brakes on the intended expansion.

“On phase 2A we are in the process of finalizing the routing by next week. Then we expect that we can break ground with the president,” Mr Nyakera said.

The government is extending the SGR line from Nairobi to Naivasha at a cost of Sh150 billion as it constructs an industrial park in Naivasha to boost the manufacturing sector.

Already the government has signed a financing agreement for a commercial loan of $1.5 billion to support the development with the EXIM Bank of china.

Earlier this month, CRBC workers were attacked inside their camp by a group of maasai morans.

Mr Nyakera said the ministry has also halted any further works in relations to the project after it emerged that the contractor had dug tunnels.