When Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta flagged off the first standard-gauge railway cargo train at Port Reitz in Mombasa on May 30, it was a proud moment for the entire nation.
Fireworks flecked the historic event as hundreds of Kenyans, officials and Chinese dignitaries cheered.
Kenyatta said the railway marks a new chapter in the history of Kenya.
The modern railway will replace the meter-gauge railway that was constructed more than 100 years ago during the British colonial rule, Kenyatta said.
"Today we celebrate the laying of one of the key cornerstones to Kenya's journey of transformation to an industrial, prosperous and middle income country," he said ahead of embarking on the inaugural trip from Mombasa to Nairobi.
Kenyatta said that the SGR was made possible due to the close Sino-Kenya friendship.
"I want to thank our partner and true friend, China for the support that has enabled the construction and completion of the project after only two and a half years," he added.
The 480-kilometer standard gauge railway was constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with 90 percent of the funding coming from China. It involves a total investment of $3.8 billion, which makes it the African country's largest infrastructure project since its independence.
Kenya Railway Corp said sending a 20 ft container between Mombasa and Nairobi would cost KSh50 000 by SGR, compared to KSh90 000 by road, and with the transit time cut from between 16 h and 24 h to a maximum of 8 h.
The 1 435 mm gauge line largely parallels the colonial-era 1 000 mm gauge Kenya–Uganda Railway. The new single-track line is built to Chinese ‘Class 1’ standards, designed for robustness and low maintenance, with 25 tonne axleloads and passenger trains operating at up to 140 km/h and freight trains at up to 80 km/h.
Kenya has become the third African nation to launch a railway system built with Chinese technology after Ethiopia and Nigeria.
CRRC supplied all rolling stock including diesel locomotives, coaches and freight wagons.
