Kenya launches $1bn Chinese-built railway line Wednesday

The second phase of Kenya’s new railway line, running from the capital Nairobi to Naivasha town, will be opened on Wednesday for passenger services only.

The BBC reports that cargo services will have to wait for the construction of a dry port, which could take longer than planned after the local Maasai community moved to court to oppose its construction.

The 120km (74 miles) stretch has been built by the China Communications and Construction Company at a cost of 150 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.4bn; £1.10bn).

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Passenger services will only be available in four of the 12 stations, Kenya Railways head, Philip Mainga, said.

Its launch lacks the fanfare witnessed at the opening of the first phase – which cost $3billion to build – running from the coastal city of Mombasa to Nairobi in May 2017.

The Standard Gauge Railway line project has cost close to three times the international standard and four times the original estimate.

The government listed the reasons for the high cost include the terrain that required many bridges, tunnels and land compensation.

About 80 percent of the money for the railway came through loans from China.

The initial plan was for the railway to run from the coastal town of Mombasa to the lakeside town of Kisumu, and a possible extension to Uganda.

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