Nairobi governor Mike Sonko [Photo/VOA News]
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government has received a major boost after eight Jubilee party governors pledged Sh100 million each to help fund a railway project.
This pledge followed a consultative meeting which took place at the Maiyan Resort in Nanyuki County.
According to Kenya Railways Managing, Director Atanas Maina, plans are underway to upgrade the 240-kilometre line from Nairobi to Nanyuki.
“Currently, the railway is what we call the 50-pund-load type, which is only capable of carrying three light locomotives. We intend to upgrade it to 80-pound load so that a single train can carry 1,400 tonnes of goods,” the director said.
The national government is hoping that the Sh25 Billion railway project will boost economic growth in the area.
List of governors set to contribute Sh100 million to the project include:
Wahome Gakuru (Nyeri), Mike Sonko (Nairobi), Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia), Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu), Francis Kimemia (Nyandurua), Mohammed Abdi Kuti (Isiolo), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a).
“The Sh100 million pledged by the county governments is a show of commitment to the project. The national government is expected to finance the project, with support from development partners,” Maina added.