President Uhuru inspects Standard Gauge Railway progress, promises title deeds for Taita Taveta residents

An aerial view of Standard gauge railway bridge under construction by China Road and Bridges Cooperation in Mbololo station, in Taita Taveta County on May 26, 2015. [PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

The Government has started negotiations with the company building the Standard Gauge Railway from Mombasa to Nairobi for the extension of the line to Naivasha.

This was revealed at a meeting yesterday between President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto and Cabinet secretaries, and officials of the China Roads and Bridges Corporation in Voi.

The extension of a 120 kilometres line will link special industrial zones that would be established in Naivasha, which is home to the Olkaria geothermal power plants, to Nairobi and Mombasa.

To attract investors to set up industrial complexes at the specially designated zones near Olkaria, the Government will offer them subsidised power tariffs.

Firms will also have their power connected directly from Olkaria to ensure uninterrupted supply, and in some cases, companies — such as those dealing in apparel manufacturing — will be allowed access to steam.

The Government also plans to set up many industrial parks along the route of the SGR. Already, the Ministry of Industrialisation has identified land for setting up industrial parks in Mariakani, Voi, Naivasha, Athi River and Emali.

Title deeds

Later, Uhuru disclosed that over 4,000 titles had been processed and would soon be distributed to the landless in Taita Taveta County.

He was addressing a public rally in Voi town after inspecting the progress of the SGR project.

Uhuru expressed his government's commitment to addressing historical land injustices in the county.

Local leaders led by Governor John Mruttu, Senator Dan Mwazo and MPs Joyce Lay (Woman Representative), Thomas Mwadeghu (Wundanyi), Jones Mlolwa (Voi), Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate) and Naomi Shaban (Taveta) attended the rally.

The leaders complained of the long delay in rehabilitating the Voi-Mwatate-Taveta road and asked the President to intervene.

Uhuru also time hit out at the Opposition for engaging in empty rhetoric at the expense of development.

He said the Jubilee government would implement projects to benefit all Kenyans irrespective of party affiliation, religion or race.