Kenyan lawmaker says Chinese funded railway a boon to economy

The Chinese funded Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Kenya's port city of Mombasa to the capital Nairobi will be a boon to the country's economy and livelihoods, a senior lawmaker said on Sunday.

Adan Duale who is also the Leader of Majority in the Kenyan Parliament said in a commentary published by a local daily that SGR will be a transformative infrastructure project.

"The SGR project will stimulate the economy in diverse ways. It will be a boon to areas it passes through, spawning new trading centers and hubs," Duale remarked.

He added that incomes for ordinary Kenyans will rise substantially while the GDP will increase by 1.5 percent once the 472-kilometer Chinese-funded railway is commissioned next year.

Duale noted that the construction of the modern railway line dovetails with the government's socio-economic transformation agenda.

"The current administration is committed to revolutionizing transport system through development of modern railway. Good roads and a modern railway will have ripple effects across key economic sectors," said Duale.

He noted that agriculture and manufacturing sectors will be the greatest beneficiaries of the SGR project.

Kenya anticipates vibrant cross-border trade in goods and services upon completion of the Chinese-funded modern railway.

Duale said that besides reducing congestion at the port of Mombasa, the Standard Gauge Railway will also encourage movement of skilled personnel across the borders.

The SGR project will hasten Kenya's industrialization process and boost its competitiveness in a globalized world.

Duale noted that a modern railway line will ease movement of manufactured goods across the borders.

"It will be possible to transport goods churned out by local factories efficiently once the SGR project is operational. The modern railway will also boost Kenya's standing as an investment destination," Duale said. Endit