Friday, February 19, 2016 Light train project to be launched in June, President Uhuru Kenyatta says

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Passengers queue to ride Ethiopia's new tramway on September 20, 2015 in Addis Abada. Kenya will launch a project to have a similar light train network in June 2016. AFP PHOTO | MULUGETA AYENE  

A project to construct a light commuter train network in Nairobi will be launched in June, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Friday.

The project, co-financed by Kenya and Hungary, will ease traffic congestion in the city.

Hungary implemented a similar project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said no “development-conscious Kenyan” would oppose the Sh15 billion project.

The President made the announcement when he held talks with Hungary Ambassador to Kenya, Eduard Laszlo Mathe, who paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi.

The President said the first phase one of the project will connect the Standard Gauge Railway end point in Syokiamu to the railway station in the city centre.

The project proposes to connect major roads in Nairobi to the tram network to transport passengers to the city centre.

The roads include Thika Superhighway, Ngong Road, Limuru Road and Ongata Rongai.

The President directed the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to ensure the project plan is on schedule.

The Hungarian ambassador said the proposed tram service will transform the way people in the capital city get to work.

“It is expected to transport about 300,000 passengers a day and even more when all the branches are fully operational,” he said.

“In line with Hungary’s new foreign policy for Africa to reinforce economic relations, we will train and equip Kenyans with skills to develop the project and own it,” he said.