THE STANDARD

Sh130billion road project to link EAC

Updated 4 hr(s) 5 min(s) ago (Sept 10, 2008)
By Jackson Okoth

A detailed plan to upgrade the entire Eastern Africa railway network is being undertaken by the private sector.The project to cost an estimated Sh130 billion will run through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Southern Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia.It involves construction of a new 1.4 metre diameter standard gauge line, linking the East African Community countries. Design work and financing for the project will be ready by June next year. The main drivers of the project are top brass in Kenya’s industry to be headed by Mabati Rolling Mills Chairman Manu Chandaria. The group recently presented a master plan to the Minister for Transport Chirau Mwakwere.

The plan comes in the wake of frustrations expressed by Uganda, which relies on Mombasa for shipment of its import and export cargo, through the rail. If implemented, this will have a significant impact on trade between EAC countries, now slowed down by a dilapidated railway network and poor road links. The standard gauge railway network is designed to ensure higher performance and speeds for both passenger and freight trains.

Oldest in the world

"With the kind of speeds available on the standard gauge line, we shall be able to move to anywhere within its network in less than 10 hours," says Mr Nduva Muli, managing director Kenya Railways, who is also a member of the group.

The Kenya Uganda Railway is billed as one of the oldest in the world, where 85 per cent of all lines are now on standard gauge."This upgrade will enable Kenya and the region become a logistics hub," says Muli.This consultative group that has already been formed in Kenya, aims to engage the Government at cabinet level, to adopt its standard gauge railway master plan.The group’s key terms of reference will involve promotion of similar consultative groups within the East African region, for the development of a standard gauge railway network throughout the region.Other members include Susan Kikwai MD Kenya Investment Authority, Betty Maina, CEO Kenya Association of Manufacturers

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Stop picking on Mwakwere

What’s all the hullabaloo about Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere appointing his brother to the Transport Licensing Board? Given what transpires in this country, aren’t we being just a touch hypocritical?
Family members have been known to inherit positions of power without questions being asked. Sons take over from fathers, while wives inherit their husbands’ positions.One of the Deputy Prime Ministers occupies the same ministry as his father once did. As far as brother’s go, Mwakwere has learned from the best. Didn’t the Prime Minister appoint his brother Assistant Minister earlier this year?
Since this culture seems to be well grounded, lets not pick on Mr Mwakwere. The question that should concern us is whether the brother has what it takes to perform.Until we root out the culture of appointing our family members, let us hold our peace.

Salma Mohamed, Malindi

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