DESIGNA MAGAZINE DESIGNA ISSUE III 2019 2 | Page 40

As expected, the project is a major employer for thousands of skilled and
unskilled youths who today and maybe during the core of construction of SGR
were engaged in its development. �is project also inject the much needed
technology transfer in the railway sub - sector. In terms of development the SGR
project components and scope was huge. �e new single track high capacity line
from Mombasa to Nairobi will include marshalling yards, 33 crossing station and
sidings totaling 124 km in length. �is project is expected to reinvigorate existing
urban centres that are situated along Mombasa-Nairobi highway due to business
opportunities associated with such projects. For example, apart from the 33
crossing stations, 5 stations were constructed at Mariakani, Voi, Mtito Andei,
Sultan Hamud and Athi River. De�nitely, these urban centres now boost
immensely bene�t both in terms of urban growth and business activities accruing
from the SGR project.
�ese stations are now served by workshops for locomotives, rolling stock
facilities that require ample supply of electricity and water not to mention
signalling, communications and ICT systems. In a nutshell, the SGR project has
become a game changer as far as railway development is concerned in the Kenya
and the region.
Complied by Douglas Kaunda
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