Kenya launches $3.8 billion high-speed railway

By Magdalene Mukami and Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta Wednesday officially launched a Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from the coastal town of Mombasa to the capital Nairobi.

President Kenyatta made an inaugural trip on the 472-kilometer (293 miles) railway line, stopping in major towns to speak to locals on how the train will benefit them.

At one of the stops, Kenyatta warned that those who vandalize sections of the new rail 'will face capital punishment'.

He said that the new train, which cost $3.8 billion, will revolutionize the country’s transport sector.

“This is a historic day and it is a day that everyone of us should feel proud of,” Kenyatta said.

Meanwhile, State House said that the launch coincides with the historic June 1 Madaraka Day celebrations when Kenya attained internal self-rule from the British colonialists.

The new train which travels at an average speed of 120km/h will phase off the use of the old train.

The president said the train has been made affordable to Kenyans belonging to all walks of life.