President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Saturday told that the construction of Sh420 billion Standard Gauge Railway which runs from the coastal city of Mombasa to Nairobi will be completed ahead of the schedule.
President Kenyatta, who visited a section of the 472-km Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project which is more than three-quarters done, said once completed, the project will enhance Kenya's position as a regional business hub.
Speaking during the inspection tour, Uhuru said the government is in talks with investors to put up industrial parks along the SGR line to create jobs.
"We have discussed on how to set up industrial parks at Dongo Kundu in Mombasa, Voi, Mtito Andei, Nairobi and Naivasha, which will help us create jobs for our young people," he said.
More than 75 percent civil works have been completed on the first phase of the project, with over 235 km trackline laid between Voi and Sultan Hamud.
The second phase will cover 487km from Nairobi-Kisumu-Malaba. It is divided into three subphases. These phases include 2A, which is 120km from Nairobi to Naivasha.
Phase 2B, which is 262 km, will stretch from Naivasha-Narok-Bomet-Ahero-Kisumu while phase 2C will cover 107 km from Kisumu-Yala-Mumias-Malaba in western Kenya.
The President said the construction of SGR will not only boost the transport development but also promote integration and industrialisation in East and Central Africa.
The SGR is also expected to ease movement and reduce transportation cost of goods from the Mombasa port to Nairobi, and other destinations, projecting Kenya’s position as a regional business hub.