Kenya Railways moves to end vandalism of SGR assets

In this interactive series, we invite our readers to send in questions to select public figures.

Answers will be published in the next print and online editions. This week, Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina responds to your questions:

I am a retired citizen. While I congratulate you and indeed the government for the inception of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), I would like to know what plans are in place for the resumption of service of the ‘Lunatic Express’ (old railway) that some of us grew up travelling in throughout East Africa. Many people would wish to travel fast on SGR, but many more, including tourists, would like to have the pleasure of travelling in the old slow train after a day’s work as it is a great experience.

Grace Minja, Nairobi

Thank you for your compliments regarding the delivery of SGR (Madaraka Express).

We are confident that this service will spearhead the socio-economic transformation of our country in the years to come.

As for the resumption of the “Lunatic Express” service, we have received very many requests like yours from our customers.

We terminated the service on May 2017 since the same had deteriorated to levels that we found to be untenable on account of safety.

The line requires significant investments for it to operate sustainably and safely.

Long distance passenger services have always been subsidised by freight services.

Admittedly, a tourist, or luxury service on “Lunatic Express”, would be very popular and we are keeping that in view as we make the decisions on the assets that have been returned following the collapse of the concession.

Sir, are you aware that the area around Imara Daima Railways Station has been infiltrated by illegal structures, which have been put up right to the gate and construction is still ongoing on their wall. Perhaps you need to establish why the commuter train transports empty coaches to and from city centre, while residents prefer to take matatus.

Ms N. Maina, Nairobi

Illegal structures, encroachments or informal settlements along the railway corridor in Nairobi and other urban centres is a matter of great concern.

These corridors need to be preserved in order that we can utilise the same for commuter rail development in future.

Kenya Railways has been spending enormous resources undertaking evictions and security related operations on this.

Regrettably, the situation is worsening and has become a security matter requiring the attention of other government agencies.

It is noteworthy that the government and the World Bank have spent over Sh10 billion developing over 9,000 residential and commercial units in between Kibera and Mukuru in order to ensure safety of train operations by relocating the informal settlements.

We are not giving up but working with the relevant agencies to address this situation.

Kenyans were shocked to hear that criminals had descended on the SGR and engaged in vandalism of this important national resource. How has your corporation handled the situation and how has it affected your operations?

Komen Moris, Eldoret

Vandalism of SGR assets is a very disappointing issue.

Given the strategic importance of this infrastructure to the country, surveillance has been enhanced, technology has been deployed, patrols and other security measures have been implemented.

The Inspector-General of Police has put together a multiagency security team that is responsible for ensuring that the assets are secured.

Many criminals have been arrested and arraigned before the courts.

Sir, why can’t the Nairobi commuter train operate on weekends? Moreover, it beats logic why Kenya Railways should choose to operate only two shifts – one in the morning and another in the evening - to a busy place like Embakasi. Please, let me understand the logic.

Beatrice Obiero, Nairobi  

Following the termination of the concession, Kenya Railways is now operating the commuter rail service.

We are considering introducing the weekend service since we are already providing the Madaraka Express link even on weekends.

In the medium to long-term, plans are under way to extend the line to JKIA and develop a separate commuter line so that we can run trains more frequently to help to decongest Mombasa Road.

Financial resources needed for this are being sought.

Does your corporation have a department that deals with customer feedback? We (users of the Syokimau commuter train) have complained several times about the schedule changes, which means the train arrives in town a few minutes to 8am, only to be met with deafening silence. Why can’t the Syokimau train schedule revert to arrival time of 7.15am? Why have vehicles been barred from driving into Imara Daima station at night to pick up passengers?

Howard Akimala, Imara Daima

We have taken up the issue of parking and driving vehicles into Imara Daima Station; the matter will be sorted out alongside others.

We are reorganising the service including studying the scheduling and seeking more resources to allow for investments in the track and rolling stock for safe and stable movement of trains.

Before the end of the year, we expect to complete the Nairobi Commuter Rail Masterplan, which should give a good indication on the resources required for short-term and long-term investment.

In order to realise the vision of Kenya Railways and the government on SGR, why haven’t you sought the services of graduates of Railway Training Institute (RTI) who were former employees of RVR and pay them well instead of employing inexperienced people?

Charles Wanjuki, Nairobi

Railway Training Institute has trained and continues to train for the railway sector even today.

Over 800 young Kenyans working in Madaraka Express Operations have gone through training at RTI.

Kenya Railways has not discriminated against ex-RVR employees, some of whom were KR employees before the concession.

The KR has retained the services of all the 1,500 employees from RVR.

Can departure time from Syokimau to Nairobi City Centre be rescheduled to 6:30am. Many commuters would like to use the train but are discouraged by unpredictable schedules.

Antony Langat, Kitengela

We have noted your feedback and the same is under consideration.

There are certain improvements that may require financial resources and may take some time especially on investments in locomotives and coaches.

As noted above, we are working on a masterplan, which will inform the short-term, medium-term and long-term decisions for overall Nairobi Commuter Rail Services.

When should we expect the SGR to reach Kisumu?

Wilson Ouko, Nairobi

The SGR Phase 2A, Nairobi, Naivasha, Narok (Enoosupukia) will be completed by June 2019.

Narok–Kisumu (262kms, Phase 2B) is at financing stage.

The project can be concluded in five years from commencement of construction.

China Exim Bank has expressed its willingness to finance SGR development all the way to Malaba.

Just seven months since the launch of the SGR, Kenya Railways has revised the fare to Sh1,200 from Sh700. Can you explain how you arrived to this in such a short period of time?

Francis Kasina, Malindi

We made it very clear from the time of the launch that the fares were introductory and would be reviewed after some time.

Revision of rates should have been done within six months but we extended it to 10 months running though two peak seasons so that our customers can enjoy the low fares longer.

Why are there no trolleys at train stations? Why is there no organised transport from the stations, which leaves passengers at the mercy of third party transporters? When do you intend to launch night trains? You promised an Executive/Business Class from December 2017. Any feedback?

Carey Yiembe, Mombasa

The request for trolleys is under review. With that we have also noted the prevalence of out of gauge luggage and the need to manage this too.

We are working with National Transport and Safety Authority to ensure that the public service providers working in our termini are vetted.

We have no plans to introduce night passenger trains at the moment.

Executive/business coaches have taken longer than anticipated.

We have received useful feedback from customers, which will help us reconfigure future products and services.

What could be preventing Kenya from implementing an electric train like our neighbours Ethiopia have done and Tanzania are doing? Do you have a kind master plan to reach there one day?

Wambugu Nuthu, Nairobi

Under the SGR Protocol to which Kenya is a signatory, we have committed to electric traction.

We will change over from diesel electric to electric traction when partner states commence construction of their respective sections.

There is a team looking into this issue.

Sir, is there a way Kenya Railways customers could promptly be getting information to its clients in Embakasi, especially when there is a problem with train? Sometimes we stand there waiting for a train that never comes or comes an hour late.

Peter Kilonzo, Embakasi

Admittedly, the Embakasi commuter service has not been very reliable and timely communication to customers has not been effective.

Kenya Railways is working on revamping this service.

Why have you made former RVR employees casuals yet majority are former KRC employees whose terms were permanent during the transition period in the year 2006?

Japheth Miguna, Mombasa

The termination of the concession had far reaching implications, which are being analysed for informed decision-making.

Matters affecting the work force are key in this. The employees are on contract. They are not casuals.

When do you intend to start paying the affected people in the SGR corridor and what criteria are you going to use to know the exact price of land in that corridor?

Martin Kagathi

Compensation of project-affected persons under the compulsory land acquisition is the responsibility of the National Land Commission (NLC).

It is only when NLC has completed its process that advice is given to us on what to pay and to whom.

Some of the delayed cases (Phase 1) may be due to disputes before the NLC or the courts.

On compensation for Phase 2A, NLC has just started processing it.

Is the Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) performance so bad that timely payment of salaries for the employees is an issue? I do not understand because the same money being generated by MGR is the one being used to cater for the salaries of KR employees? Why are you treating the employees differently?

Nyambura Vienna, Nakuru

The MGR revenues and expenditure are ring fenced for purposes of MGR activities only.

My answer is relevant in response to the other part of your question.

Is the employment contract of MGR employees going to be extended? If not, what will happen to the more than 1,500 employees?

Victor Maina, Nairobi

The matter is under consideration and a decision will be made in the coming weeks.

What happened to the 9am Syokimau Nairobi Commuter Train service? Could it be that SGR is being given priority over city customers? 

Mutio Muthoka, Nairobi

As observed above, this service was until September 2017 operated by RVR.

The KR has taken over the service and the masterplan is already under way.

Financing identification will be undertaken after the study is completed before the end of 2018.

Further, studies for the extension of the line to JKIA in order to serve airport users and Madaraka Express passengers are complete.

We intend to revamp this service in order to inform further developments of commuter rail services in the city.

I am a frequent user of the NCR train from Syokimau. We have a Telegram group, which I would encourage you to join and see our daily complaints. The biggest issue we have is chronic delays largely caused by two things namely, breakdown of the very old engines and a 15-minute delay as we wait for the link train from Nairobi because we only have one rail therefore we must wait for it to cross then we continue with our journey.

When will the dinosaur NCR engines be replaced? When will the government invest in a new line from Syokimau to CBD railway station? If not, can a timing adjustment be made?

Stephen Muthami, Syokimau

It is a good suggestion to join the Telegram. Please send email on the same to [email protected] for appropriate action.

We have an elaborate plan for improvement of NCR services and will also address the train scheduling issue to establish what the majority of the customers want.

The development of the JKIA line is mentioned above.