China-built railway in Kenya balances development with conservation

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has visited the site of the Nairobi–Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway project on an inspection tour of ongoing track laying by the China Communications Construction Company.

The president witnessed the installation of bridge girders across the Nairobi National Park, which is a critical part of the extension of the rail line. The six-kilometer-long rail bridge that is being built will help to minimize disturbances to the park's wildlife from passing trains.

According to the Kenya Railway Corporation, the decision to build the bridge through the park shows the commitment of the corporation and Kenya's government to ensure there is a balance between infrastructure development and environmental protection.

The 120 kilometer stretch of rail will connect five of Kenya's counties, and is expected to open up the Kenyan hinterland and support the development of the country's manufacturing sector. This is in line with President Kenyatta's "Big Four Development Agenda", a five-year development plan that aims to improve the living standards of Kenyans by improving the country's manufacturing, housing, health, and agricultural sectors.

Construction work on the rail project is nearing the halfway mark, and is expected to be finished by June 2019.