SGR is set to unfold Phase 2 Photo/Business Daliy
In two weeks time work on phase two of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project from the city to Naivasha, through the Nairobi National Park, is set to start.
James Macharia Transport Secretary has said that construction of SGR phase 2A which had stalled is set to resume in 14 days after the National Environment Tribunal rules on a dispute challenging the project.In April the tribunal ordered the contractor to suspend all activities on the project.Activist Okiya Omtatah and the Kenya Coalition for Wildlife Conservation appealed for the decision by National Environment Management Authority to issue an environmental impact assessment license on January 10 leading to the order being issued.Both agree that the environmental impact assessment was conducted in haste without stakeholder’s consultation and in total disregard of procedural and legal requirements of the law.However, CS James Macharia is confident that the tribunal will issue a fair ruling which will allow the project to proceed.“Land has been acquired and we expect that upon disposal of the case, the process will be fast tracked," James further added.At Sh150 million the 120 km SGR line between Nairobi and Naivasha is being constructed and financed by the Exim Bank of China and the Government of Kenya.It will also include the development of a new high capacity port at Lake Victoria, Kisumu.
Phase 2C of the SGR will connect Kisumu and Malaba through Yala and Mumias.