Kenya has restarted work on a major railway extension after six years, bringing new life to a multibillion-dollar project that had stalled due to funding issues
The railway, which already connects Mombasa to Nairobi since 2017, was originally planned to extend toward Uganda to boost regional trade and transport
Construction had stopped in the Rift Valley, leaving the line more than 350 km short of the Ugandan border. Now, the project is moving forward again, with a new financing model that relies partly on local revenue instead of heavy borrowing
President William Ruto officially relaunched the project in Narok, saying the railway was always part of a long-term plan and not a “road to nowhere,” as critics had claimed
The new phase will still involve China, with construction led by the China Road and Bridge Corporation. However, instead of relying mainly on loans, Kenya will use funds generated from a railway levy on cargo to help finance the expansion
This shift reflects a broader change in how China supports infrastructure in Africa, moving away from large loans toward investment-based partnerships
The revived railway project is expected to improve regional connectivity, strengthen trade, and support economic growth once completed
Source: TRT Africa
