Kenya: Rehabilitation Of The Nanyuki Railway Line On Course
The rehabilitation and repair of the Nanyuki – Nairobi railway branch line is now in high gear. Kenya Railways recently delivered a locomotive, a coach and carriers to Nanyuki to aid in the rehabilitation process. The equipment is being used to carry the workers and materials.
The works which are set to be implemented in six months have been divided in to three sections in which the works are progressing concurrently in a bid to ensure a speedy conclusion. They are Thika – Maragua, a distance of 47.60km; Maragua – Karatina a distance of 54.20km; and Karatina – Nanyuki a distance of 75.40km.
The scope of works for this project entails site clearance of the entire corridor and removal of encroachments; rehabilitation of the permanent way infrastructure; refurbishment of rolling stock; and leasing of 8no. Locomotives for use in operations. The scope also includes construction of a railway station at Chaka and construction of additional 250 kilometres of railway line to the Vivo Energy Depot in Nanyuki.
Recently Kenya Railways, Managing Director Mr. Philip Mainga toured the corridor to inspect the progress of the works. While at the site he called on the teams on the ground to redouble their efforts to ensure the line is delivered on time.
“We look forward to a completion of this works at the earliest possible so as to be in a position to support economic activities both in Laikipia and the Central Kenya region. We appreciate the support of the Governors of the Central Region Economic Block (CEREB) for their enthusiasm towards this project,” he said.
The Thika – Nanyuki Branch line is part of the Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) in Kenya. It has a direct route length of 177.2km.The Branch line was constructed in three phases namely; Nairobi to Thika, completed in 1913,Thika to NaroMoru, completed in 1927; and Naromoru to Nanyuki, completed in 1931.
From Nairobi Central Railway Station, the branch line traverses six counties namely; Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri and Laikipia Counties. Stations along the Nairobi to Nanyuki corridor are at Nairobi, Makadara, Dandora, Kahawa, Ruiru, Kalimoni, Thika. Mitubiri, Makuyu, Maragua, Murang’a, Sagana, Karatina, Kiganjo, Naromoru and Nanyuki.
