Economy
of three counties will be improved with the revival of Gilgil- Nyahururu
railwayline.
The line will connect several trading centres
between the two major towns in Nyandarua, Laikipia and parts of Nakuru county.
The revival of the line that stopped to
operate 30 years ago is coordinated by Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) after
the completion of the similar project along Nairobi- Nanyuki line a month ago.
Three
Governors have welcomed the revival of the 52 kilometer railway line saying once operational will revamp the
economic ventures in the three counties, and create employment opportunities.
Nyandarua
Governor Francis Kimemia, Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia) and Nakuru counterpart
Lee Kinyanjui lauded the project by the national government saying it will help
in the transportation of farm produce and livestock.
Ranchers in Samburu county and parts of
Laikipia will also benefit with the railway line as it will transport their
livestock to Kenya Meat Commission in Nairobi.
They observed that transportation of the farm
produce through road network was a major challenges following rough terrains in
parts of Nyandarua following heavy rains.
Speaking in Ol Kalau town during the inspection of the rehabilitation
programme, they said that the economy of the people living in the three
counties was set to improve due to the low cost of transporting their goods to
the markets mainly in Nairobi and Mombasa.
“These are counties that mainly rely on
food production and it has always been hectic to transport bulky goods using
the road network,” said Kimemia.
Kimemia said Nyandarua will benefit a lot as the farmers have been suffering due to poor roads due to heavy rains.
“Our potato and vegetable products will no
longer rot in the farms as it has been happening,” said Nyandarua governor.
Governor
Ndiritu said that the new development was a game changer for Laikipia and
Samburu counties which rely on livestock production.
“This was the mode of transport that we used in
the past to transport livestock from Laikipia and Samburu as well as
agricultural products from Nyandarua.We are glad that soon we will be able to
use the railway line,” he said.
“I am very sure that the transport fee will
be reduced by almost a half.This will be a boost for our pastoral
communities,” he said.
Nakuru Governor said most of the farm produce
will be picked by train in Gilgil and Olkalau for transportation to the market
in Nairobi and beyond.
“Nakuru county
which is prepared to be elevated to a city is also set to benefit withy goods
that will be transported by the railway,” he said.
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