You Didn't Come To Be Tourists- Ruto Issues Strict Deadline To Chinese Contractor

President William Ruto on Friday, December 15 directed that the construction of the Riruta - Ngong commuter railway line should be complete in eight months.

Speaking during the launch of the Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) project in Ngong, Ruto instructed the contractor to ensure that works on the railway line which passes through Karen should be completed within the allocated schedule in readiness for its launch next year.

He revealed that the contractor had asked for 12 months to complete the project, but the Head of State declined.

The construction of the 12.5-kilometre Riruta-Ngong Commuter Rail on December 14, 2023. /PCS

Furthermore, he directed the Ministry of Transport led by Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen to procure wagons for the railway line before its launch to ensure that Kenyans get firsthand train services immediately after they are launched.

"I have instructed the CS and his people that this railway should be complete in eight months because it is possible.

"They told me it would be done in 12 months but I said no, you did not come here for tourism but to build a railway. They should complete that work and leave because we want this rail to be ready," he directed.

Upon completion, the new railway line will run from Ngong - Bulbul - Karen - Nairobi terminus, with Ruto stating that the rail would serve 10,000 people each day.

The President termed the railway line important as it would help reduce the cost of rail transport among other aspects such as the cost of rent and food among others in cutting down on the cost of living overall.

"The train fare that you pay to go to Karen and town will go down by 50 percent with this railway line," Ruto assured.

Furthermore, the President revealed that the government had secured funding for the project which would aid in cutting down traffic especially along Ngong Road during rush hour.

Ruto also announced that the government would seek to extend the railway line to cover the area surrounding Bomas of Kenya before linking it to the area around Nyayo Stadium.

"I have also had engagements with the American President (Joe Biden) and we have agreed that they will give us resources to work on the Nairobi transport system.

"Already they have given us Ksh9 billion and one of the things we will do is to move this railway line from here to Kisearian to Ngong-Bomas of Kenya," he stated.

The Riruta - Ngong railway line is anticipated to be President Ruto's first MGR railway project.

In addition, Ruto committed to completing the construction of stalled road projects before commissioning new projects of a similar nature, underlining that completed road projects will benefit the public sooner, improving their quality of life and potentially boosting economic growth across the country.

"We intend to complete stalled road projects before commissioning new ones so that we are a prudent administration," said President Ruto.  

President William Ruto and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen during the commissioning of the construction of the 12.5-kilometre Riruta-Ngong Commuter Rail on December 14, 2023. /PCS