How Kenya’s modern railway is stimulating growth of rural towns

Kenyan small towns located along the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) corridor are currently reaping from the mega infrastructure project since its launch more than two years ago.

These towns that include Athi River, Emali, Kibwezi, Mtito Andei, Voi and Mariakani are now bustling with economic activities, thanks to seamless flow of goods and people.

At Voi town, some 329km south east of Nairobi, the SGR train dubbed Madaraka Express has unleashed a boom to residents.

Small businesses that include hotels and shops have sprung up in the last two years as the railway becomes synonymous with the town’s change of fortunes.

Janet Oben, Taita Taveta County Tourism chief officer, said the SGR had raised the visibility of Voi, with the town lately receiving a high number of tourists.

"Convenience and comfort has made many tourists travelling to Mombasa stop at Voi and visit our scenic attractions and cultural centres before they continue with their journeys," said Oben.

SLEEPY TOWN COMES ALIVE

She revealed it is now possible for someone to leave Nairobi in the morning and have a meeting in Voi at lunch hour and depart in the afternoon.

“Initially, people would book flights to Mombasa and then travel by road to Voi, which was hectic. The SGR has saved travel time by over half for most tourists and business people,” said Oben.

Japhet Njagi, 29, the assistant shift attendant at Voi station, said before the SGR was constructed, Voi was a sleepy town.

"This town has experienced a huge growth since the SGR arrived two years ago. This is because of the train that stops here," Njagi told Xinhua.

His job entails arranging the train shifts and making sure passengers are accorded efficient services at the booking office and waiting room.

Njagi started working at the Voi station in 2017, the same year the SGR commenced operations, and has seen the town ‘awaken’ by the modern train.

“Tourism is on the rise. So many tourists pass through the station heading to Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks,” said Njagi.

Anderson Mjomba Mshila, a tuk-tuk (three-wheeler taxi) operator attributes growth of his business to the SGR since he ferries passengers to and from the Voi station.

Augustine Mwanake, general manager of Voi Wildlife Lodge, said tourism has for the last one year been on the rise with visitors booking online and travelling to the facility using SGR train.

"Most of our visitors come from Europe, especially Italy, Germany and Poland. Some come for a one-day stop-over after visiting the park," said Mwanake.

PRAISE FOR SGR

The Chinese funded SGR commuter train has ferried three million commuters who include tourists, business executives, students and ordinary Kenyans since its launch on May 31, 2017.

Likewise, over five million tons of cargo has been delivered to Nairobi from Mombasa via the SGR.

Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the train had made a huge impact to the Kenyan economy.

"The SGR commuter and freight services have presented new opportunities for Kenyans through job creation and technology transfer. As a result, the country has realised transformation,” said Macharia during celebrations to mark the second anniversary of the train on May 31.

While on a trip to experience the train service on June 20, a delegation of 35 visitors, including professors from Harvard Business School (HBS), lauded the SGR.

Marx Fabrigas, a professor at Harvard Business School, said the train had created more opportunities in Kenya, with his team researching on its commercial vitality as case studies in the future.

DECONGESTION
Esther Koimett, the Transport Principal Secretary, Kenya Railway Corporation’s acting managing director, Philip Mainga and his Kenya Ports Authority counterpart Daniel Manduku, joined the team’s discussion on the importance of SGR for the East African Community.

“SGR is part of the regional railway masterplan. President Uhuru Kenyatta has always been at the forefront of supporting this noble initiative. In our Vision 2030, we see ourselves as a hub and we want such infrastructures to support this dream,” said Koimett.

Manduku on his part said the SGR had eased movement of cargo at the Mombasa port, thus boosting decongestion of the facility.

“The SGR has been a game-changer. We have been clearing 250 trains of cargo per day, thus dealing with congestion that had been slowing down our economic progress immensely,” said Manduku.

Caroline Elkins, a professor at HBS, said she was looking forward to incorporate the SGR model of transformation in her future case studies.