The Nairobi-Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a flagship project of China-Kenya cooperation, has completed six years of operation, serving millions of passengers and cargo and boosting the economy and tourism of the East African nation.
The SGR, which was built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and financed by China Exim Bank, covers 472 kilometers of land, crossing the vast savanna of southeastern Kenya and linking the capital city Nairobi with the coastal city Mombasa, the largest seaport in the region.
The railway, which was inaugurated by President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 31, 2017, has transported more than 18 million passengers and 8 million tons of cargo, according to the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC).
The railway has also created more than 50,000 jobs for locals, trained more than 2,000 technicians, and supported more than 400 local enterprises, according to CRBC.
The railway has also contributed to the social and environmental development of Kenya, by providing affordable and convenient transportation, reducing road congestion and accidents, saving fuel and emissions, and protecting wildlife and habitats along the route.
The SGR is a symbol of the friendship and partnership between China and Kenya, which are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.
The two countries have cooperated in various fields, such as infrastructure, trade, health, education, and culture, and have supported each other in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SGR is also part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global vision of connectivity and cooperation proposed by China in 2013.
The railway is expected to be extended to other neighboring countries, such as Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan, to enhance regional integration and development.
The SGR is a source of pride and joy for both the Chinese who built it and the Kenyans who use it, as they share a common dream of a better future.
