The Impact of the Railway Infrastructure in Kenya
The history of the railway sector in Kenya dates back to the 18th century when its construction began in the port city of Mombasa. By hook and crook, and despite the challenges that were faced during this period like the man-eaters, the ruthless mosquitoes which struck without mercy, and the unfriendly terrain, the line was destined to happen and bring change.
In 1899, the construction of the line reached Nairobi and a railway camp and depot were built there. The British and their Indian coolies continued with their work through the unpredictable rift valley terrain which posed a daunting challenge to them until they reached Port Florence (Kisumu) in 1901.
Until then, the meter gauge railway network has grown by leaps and bounds in many parts of the country. Many railway stations have been built and more railway vehicles have been bought to cater to the ever-increasing demand for railway transportation.
However, in 2015 a momentous occasion was witnessed when the actual construction of the Nairobi-Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) started. Two years later, the line was done and dusted and the commissioning of the madaraka freight and passenger services was witnessed.
The railway infrastructure in Kenya boasts of these two developments that have since then emerged as the second most used means of transport after roads and have led to substantial growth in various sectors of the economy:-
The transport sector
When it comes to transport, the railway infrastructure in Kenya plays a significant role in economic activities. From carrying large numbers of passengers to hauling large volumes of cargo at a lower cost, other activities like pilgrimage, business, and sightseeing have been made possible. Urban centers and new trade centers have also emerged as a result of this development fostering new investment opportunities for the surrounding community as a whole.
In fact, since its inception, this sector has ferried millions of passengers and millions of tonnes of cargo to various destinations and this is undisputed when it comes to the SGR. It has condensed the traveling duration between various destinations, one example being Nairobi to Mombasa. A journey that took more than 8 hours by road can now take a record of 4 hours courtesy of the madaraka express and this has indeed revolutionized the way people travel, bringing charm and repose that is unmatched.
The tourism sector
Railway infrastructure in Kenya is a crucial component of tourism as well as a part of the overall transportation system. Its speed, size, and efficiency enable many passengers to move from one destination to another enhancing local and international tourism.
For example, when the SGR began its maiden trip from Mombasa to Nairobi, it cemented Kenya as the gateway to East Africa. And since it was billed as the largest infrastructure since independence, some argued whether it could bring a return on investment. That question has been answered by the large number of local and foreign tourists who flood the metro stations every day to travel to their different destinations yearning for leisure or safari.
The energy sector
The role of railroads in the energy sector in Kenya has continued to grow. Over the years, energy sources and consumption trends have changed and so the railway freight industry has adjusted to cater to the client's needs and continue moving energy products safely and efficiently.
A key milestone was achieved when the madaraka express freight service was launched. It has since then made it possible to transport huge oil shipments over long distances at once, and of course at lower costs. Once loaded at the port city of Mombasa, the next destination is the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Nairobi or Naivasha. This is one of the biggest advantages of this mode of transport since it ensures that there is minimal contact by humans during the movement and ensures faster delivery of the fuel products.
Once the petroleum products reach Kisumu port, they are loaded to MV Uhuru which is a Kenya Railways train ferry that operates in Lake Victoria. It can carry a load of 1,400 tonnes, with its 22 tank wagons which have a capacity of 50,000 liters each.
This has made it easy for petroleum products to be transported from Kisumu Port to Port Bell in Uganda, a journey that takes approximately 19 hours for the 152 miles distance. Previously, this could take days when transported by road and the trucks also were not able to carry huge loads at once.
Employment sector
The employment levels in the railway sector have changed drastically. Over the last few years, more so under the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta, we have witnessed a lot of rehabilitation works on railway lines. Some of the major lines include the Nairobi-Nanyuki line and the Nakuru-Kisumu line.
This has helped the sector become more efficient as many job opportunities have been created ranging from casual laborers to railway engineers. Many industries and businesses have also emerged along these railway economic zones leading to the creation of employment opportunities.
However, the railway infrastructure in Kenya has also offered a variety of other many exciting career choices. These include crew members, drivers, technicians, welders, and station masters, among many others who are trained in Railway Training Institute in conjunction with Kenya Railways and then offered internships and jobs thereafter.
