A wagon being dropped on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) as workers watch. [Photo/@StandardKenya/Twitter]
President Uhuru Kenyatta will on May 31 commission the first phase of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said China, which provided SGR funding, through loans, will send a senior delegation of the State Council, including two ministers and one vice minister to attend the launch, in Mombasa.
“China has been, in the last few years, a loyal partner in our transformational agenda particularly as relates to the development of economic physical infrastructure,” Esipisu said, Sunday, during his weekly briefing at State House, Nairobi.
He said Kenyatta is also expected to officiate at events on the container terminal at the SGR on May 30 before taking the inaugural ride from Mombasa to Nairobi, May 31.
“That ride will include a number of stops along the way to commission some of the new stations as well as to address people that are resident in some of the counties that the SGR passes through,” he noted.
As quoted by PSCU, Esipisu said the president strongly believes that infrastructure was at the core of development, growth and creating opportunity for young people.
Top government officials, such as Deputy president William Ruto, and Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia will also attend the launch.