The executive coach of the Standard Gauge Railway where President Uhuru Kenyatta will stay when travelling from Mombasa to Nairobi. [Photo/ Tuko]
Ahead of the much-anticipated launch of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) on Wednesday by President Uhuru Kenyatta, many critics have joined millions of Kenyans online to praise the Jubilee administration for the delivery of the signature project. From May 31, travellers will be able to travel between Nairobi and Mombasa in just under five hours, and at a much cheaper cost — Sh900 for the economy class and Sh3,000 for first class. An economy bus ticket between the two cities costs at least Sh1,200. BBC journalist Ferdinand Omondi, who was among the first Kenyans to use the SGR train on Monday, said everything that has been said about the project is true. “We left Nairobi at exactly 1400HRS. At exactly 1615 we were in Mtito Andei. Speed: upto 120kph. Believe the hype,” the former KTN reporter said on his Facebook page. “Time taken Nairobi-Msa: slightly under 5 hours , including two stops. Convenient? Yes. Comfortable? Yes,” he added. Activist Ahmed Mohamed, also the CEO of Ark Media, tweeted: “The SGR is a marvel. This is a a great achievement. Humbled to be part of the maiden ride to Nairobi on Wednesday.”Digital4Africa CEO Francis Waithaka, a tech enthusiast, praised the move to allow women to operate the SGR train. “Kenya's new Standard Gauge Railway drivers. All are women. I think this a good thing,” wrote on twitter.New York-based media producer Adeola Fayehum, a Nigerian native, praised the SGR project and wondered why Nigeria spends more and gets less over a similar project. “Kenya unveils $3.2 billion railway! How come ours in Nigeria is not this nice despite spending more?”