Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The railway is financed by the Chinese government

Kenya has opened a major new railway between the port city of Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi, 18 months early.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said during the launch that the $3.2bn (£2.5bn) Chinese-funded line signalled a new chapter in the country.

He warned that he would authorise the execution of vandals after four people were arrested damaging sections of a guardrail.

It is Kenya's biggest infrastructure project since independence.

The 470km (290 miles) line is part of China's Belt and Road initiative of massive global infrastructure projects.

The railway is supposed to eventually connect land-locked South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia to the Indian Ocean.

Last week, Mr Kenyatta secured an additional $3.6bn from China to extend the railway line 250km (155 miles) west from the central town of Naivasha to Kisumu.

Mr Kenyatta, who is touting his development record as he seeks a second term in August's election, said the railway line heralded a new chapter in Kenya's history:

"A history that was first started 122 years ago when the British, who had colonised this nation, kicked off the train to nowhere... it was then dubbed the 'Lunatic Express'."

"Today... despite again a lot of criticism we now celebrate not the 'Lunatic Express' but the Madaraka [named after the day Kenya's attained internal self-rule) Express that would begin to reshape the story of Kenya for the next 100 years."

Railway deepens China's Africa links: By Judith Wambare, BBC Africa

Image copyright Michael Khateli

The railway may be Kenya's biggest infrastructure project since independence but it is also a part of a strategic plan for China to deepen its economic links in Africa.

A concessionary loan from China will pay for 80% of the cost.

The loan has a 10-year grace period, within which the railway line is expected to have started to generate income. The repayments will then be spread over 30-40 years.

The Mombasa-Nairobi line is the first phase of a 840km (525 mile) line linking the port city of Mombasa to the western border town of Malaba.

The Chinese will be in charge of the new railway line for some time, while Kenyans are being trained to take over.

During the Belt and Road Forum for International Corporation meeting on 15 May, Mr Kenyatta asked China to ensure a win-win situation in its economic relationship with Kenya, as the country formally joined the infrastructure initiative.

The cost of the project has been criticised by opposition parties, who say it is too expensive and the economic returns exaggerated.

The government says that it needs to invest in infrastructure to attract foreign investment.

Kenya's new railway at a glance:

Cost $3.2bn (£2.5bn)

Funding for the 470km (290 miles) project was provided by China

It took three-and-a-half years to build, using Chinese track-laying technology

The line is supposed to eventually connect land-locked South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia to the Indian Ocean

Cuts the journey-time from Mombasa to Nairobi to four-and-a-half hours, compared to nine hours by bus or 12 hours on the previous railway

An economy class ticket will cost 900 Kenyan shillings ($9; £7), slightly cheaper than a bus ticket. A business class ticket will be $30.

'Vandals to be hanged'

On Monday, police arrested three men for vandalising sections of the railway and are pursuing charges of economic sabotage.

Mr Kenyatta said such vandalism would not be tolerated:

"I acknowledge that the presidency gives me the right to pass laws... those found vandalising the infrastructure... I will pass a law for them to be hanged."

Image copyright Michael Khateli Image caption The spectacular Mombasa terminus was designed to resemble waves and ripples in the water radiating from the central tower</s>Nairobi, Kenya (CNN) East Africa is now more accessible than ever. After two years of construction, Kenya's largest infrastructure project since independence, a $3.8 billion Chinese-built high speed railway, is up and running.

It's around 300 miles long, connecting the port city of Mombasa to the capital of Nairobi. Built by China Road and Bridge Corporation and 90 percent financed by China Eximbank, it is the largest infrastructure project since independence in 1963.

It's named the Madaraka Express, after the day Kenya attained self rule. Speaking at its launch, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta referenced the country's colonial British railway -- known as the "Lunatic Express" -- built more than a century ago, saying: "Today 122 years later, despite again a lot of criticism, we now celebrate, not the Lunatic Express but the Madaraka Express, that will begin to reshape the story of Kenya for the next 100 years. I am proud to be associated with this day."

Nairobi is not the end of the line. The railway is planned to eventually go thorough western Kenya and connect six other East African countries, opening up the region's markets and trade, which for now is reliant on road transport.

"It's a big game changer," said Aly Khan Satchu, a financial analyst based in Nairobi, adding that it could provide new manufacturing and export potential for Kenya.

"We've got cheap geothermal power in Naivasha -- you can tap into that power," he said. "You can build your factories, you can put your goods on the railway, you can export it to Mombasa and you can access a three billion person market on the Indian Ocean economy."

The railroad replaces Kenya's old colonial-era railway, a notoriously slow and shaky ride that could take more than a day to complete the same journey, replacing it with a trip that will take around four-and-a-half hours. It is expected to transport half of the goods coming from the Mombasa port, East Africa's largest, compared to the 5 percent carried by the old train.

Just days before the launch a portion of the railway was damaged by vandals, downing exterior fencing and knocking off posts.

President Kenyatta warned that he would authorize the execution of the vandals: "I had commuted death sentences to life imprisonment before, but I also acknowledge the presidency gives me right to pass this law ... those accused of vandalizing the infrastructure, I ask God to forgive me but I will pass the law for them to be hanged"

The price tag also raised eyebrows, amounting to roughly twice as expensive per kilometer as the Djibouti- Ethiopian train, also built by the Chinese.

"People are saying this is a very big bet you've taken in comparison to your economy," said Satchu. "I think that there will be a very strong return from this investment but obviously it has been expensive."

Wildlife has also been a major issue. Constructing a project of such magnitude has tested Kenya's ability to balance infrastructure development within its world-renowned wildlife habitats.

The Madaraka Express train runs through two national parks, including Tsavo National Park, where the government and tour operators plan to use it as a tourism booster in a major elephant habitat.

Wildlife groups have protested the project for years saying it will affect vital wildlife migrations and behavior. In response, designers have added wildlife corridors, and raised sections of the line to allow for animal movement.

Still, at least 10 elephants have been killed by trains during the railway's construction, confused by the new infrastructure, according to the NGO Save the Elephants.</s>Kenya has opened a major new railway between the port city of Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi, 18 months early.

The $3.2bn (£2.5bn) Chinese-funded line is the country’s biggest infrastructure project since independence.

It took three-and-a-half years to build, using Chinese track-laying technology.

The line is supposed to eventually connect South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi with Mombasa.

It is the country’s first new major railway in more than a century.

The journey from Mombasa to Nairobi by train will now take four-and-a-half hours, compared to nine hours by bus or 12 hours on the previous railway.

The tickets work out cheaper than buses.

An economy class ticket will cost 900 Kenyan shillings ($9; £7), while a business class ticket will be 3,000 Kenyan shillings. The nearest equivalent bus is ticket is an extra 400 shillings.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said at the launch of the railway line that it signalled a new chapter in Kenya’s history:

“A history that was first started 122 years ago when the British, who had colonised this nation, kicked off the train to nowhere… it was then dubbed the ‘Lunatic Express’.”

“Today… despite again a lot of criticism we now celebrate not the ‘Lunatic Express’ but the Madaraka [named after the day Kenya’s attained internal self-rule) Express that would begin to reshape the story of Kenya for the next 100 years.”

The cost of the project has been criticised by opposition parties, who say it is too expensive and the economic returns exaggerated.

They have also accused President Kenyatta’s administration of unchecked borrowing from China.

The government says that it needs to invest in infrastructure to attract foreign investment.</s>Kenya has opened a major new railway between the port city of Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi, 18 months early.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said during the launch that the $3.2bn (£2.5bn) Chinese-funded line signalled a new chapter in the country.

He warned that he would authorise the execution of vandals after four people were arrested damaging sections of a guardrail.

It is Kenya’s biggest infrastructure project since independence.

The 470km (290 miles) line is part of China’s Belt and Road initiative of massive global infrastructure projects.

The railway is supposed to eventually connect land-locked South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia to the Indian Ocean.

Last week, Mr Kenyatta secured an additional $3.6bn from China to extend the railway line 250km (155 miles) west from the central town of Naivasha to Kisumu.

Mr Kenyatta, who is touting his development record as he seeks a second term in August’s election, said the railway line heralded a new chapter in Kenya’s history:

“A history that was first started 122 years ago when the British, who had colonised this nation, kicked off the train to nowhere… it was then dubbed the ‘Lunatic Express’.”

“Today… despite again a lot of criticism we now celebrate not the ‘Lunatic Express’ but the Madaraka [named after the day Kenya’s attained internal self-rule) Express that would begin to reshape the story of Kenya for the next 100 years.”
• Funding for the 470km (290 miles) project was provided by China
• It took three-and-a-half years to build, using Chinese track-laying technology
• The line is supposed to eventually connect land-locked South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia to the Indian Ocean
• Cuts the journey-time from Mombasa to Nairobi to four-and-a-half hours, compared to nine hours by bus or 12 hours on the previous railway
• An economy class ticket will cost 900 Kenyan shillings ($9; £7), slightly cheaper than a bus ticket. A business class ticket will be $30.

On Monday, police arrested three men for vandalising sections of the railway and are pursuing charges of economic sabotage.

Mr Kenyatta said such vandalism would not be tolerated:

“I acknowledge that the presidency gives me the right to pass laws… those found vandalising the infrastructure… I will pass a law for them to be hanged.” BBC News</s>MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) - Kenya's president on Tuesday opened the country's largest infrastructure project since independence, a Chinese-backed railway costing nearly $3.3 billion that eventually will link a large part of East Africa to a major port on the Indian Ocean as China seeks to increase trade and influence.

The railway replaces part of the 660-mile (1,062-kilometer) line known as the "lunatic express," which was built by the British more than a century ago and linked Lake Victoria with the port city of Mombasa. Kenya Railways says the newly opened stretch will reduce passengers' travel time from the capital, Nairobi, to Mombasa from more than 10 hours to four.

The Chinese-funded, Chinese-constructed project has drawn criticism from some observers who call it overpriced; its cost represents about 5 percent of Kenya's GDP. Activists have blocked the railway's second phase with a court order because of concerns about the impact on wildlife as it cuts across Nairobi National Park.

The newly opened railway is the first phase of a project to connect Kenya's landlocked neighbors Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan to Mombasa. Construction of this 378-mile section was scheduled to be completed in December, but observers said President Uhuru Kenyatta's government hastened its launch to boost his re-election bid in August.

Uganda, Kenya's main trading partner, is expected to start construction of the link between its capital, Kampala, and Kenya's Malaba border post later this year. Construction is expected to take four years, during which time Kenya is expected to extend its line to Malaba.

China is Africa's top trade partner and the world's second largest economy. Last year, a largely Chinese-financed and Chinese-built railway opened between landlocked Ethiopia, one of the continent's fastest-growing economies, and a major port on the Gulf of Aden in Djibouti.

And China has more planned for Africa as part of its "Belt and Road" project, its largest foreign initiative to date with multibillion-dollar investments in ports, railways and other facilities. Kenyatta was one of many heads of state attending China's forum on the project earlier this month.

Kenya looks forward to the effects on trade. "I expect significant and positive economic spillover effects," said Aly Khan Satchu, a Nairobi-based investment consultant. "There has been a lot of chatter about the need to move 100 million low-cost manufacturing jobs out of China, and this positions Kenya as a possible beneficiary and recipient of that transfer."

Poor infrastructure has hurt economic activity through much of Africa. As Kenya's old railway fell behind on repairs due to corruption, the main road from Nairobi to Mombasa became the main link to the port. The two-lane road has become clogged with vehicles and accidents.

The new railway should benefit tourism, said Mohammed Hersi, chairman of Kenya Coast Tourism Association. But a concern is Kenya's ability to maintain it once the Chinese hand it over, he said.

Kenya Railways has said the Chinese will run the railway for six years before handing it over. The Chinese government-owned Export-Import Bank of China funded 90 percent of the railway project, while Kenya's government chipped in 10 percent.</s>Kenya has launched a new railway service that will cut travel time between Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa in half.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and a number of Chinese and Kenyan officials were aboard the train Wednesday for its inaugural run from Mombasa to the capital.

The standard-gauge railway was built with the help of loans from the Chinese government. Chinese companies also built the line and supplied locomotives.

“This is a historic moment we are witnessing today because this project will transform the economy of this country and all Kenyans,” President Kenyatta said Wednesday.

 

 Previously, passenger train service between Mombasa and Nairobi took 10 hours. Kenya says the new service will complete the 440-kilometer (275 miles) trip in five.

Mombasa is the biggest port in East Africa, serving Kenya and inland countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

Kenya says the new service can carry more than 3,000 passengers per day.

China has invested heavily in the African continent during the past 15 years, seeking to strengthen political and economic ties.</s>Mombasa: Kenya's president has opened the country's largest infrastructure project since independence. The $3 billion Chinese-backed railway project eventually will link a large part of East Africa to a major Indian Ocean port as China seeks to increase trade and influence.

The newly opened line between the capital, Nairobi, and the port city of Mombasa replaces the one built by the British in the 1800s.

President Uhuru Kenyatta says the project will benefit generations to come. Critics have said the project is overpriced and could be a conduit for corruption. Kenyatta has dismissed those claims.

The railway is part of China's "One Belt, One Road" project, its largest foreign initiative to date with multibillion-dollar investments in ports, railways and other facilities.

Poor infrastructure has hurt economic activity through much of Africa.</s>Mombasa, Kenya — Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday inaugurated a Chinese-built railway, the country’s biggest infrastructure project since independence, that is aimed at cementing its role as the gateway to East Africa.

The boxy red-and-white diesel train left from a gleaming new terminal in the port city of Mombasa, carrying Kenyatta, Chinese dignitaries and citizens from across the country on its maiden journey to Nairobi. The five-hour journey will take less than half the time to drive between the two cities, a hair-raising trip on a one-lane highway clogged with lumbering trucks and where accidents claim dozens of lives each year.

"Today we celebrate one of the key cornerstones to Kenya’s transformation to an industrialised, prosperous, middle-income country," Kenyatta said at the inauguration ceremony.

Dubbed the Madaraka (Freedom) Express, the train can carry 1,260 passengers and replaces the "Lunatic Express" — a railway built more than a century ago by colonial Britain and known for its breakdowns.</s>Just after the sun rose on Wednesday, people began streaming into the Mombasa terminal station. There was a red carpet, a helicopter and Kenyans dressed in their very best attire, with shimmering fabrics and dazzling hats.

A little more than a hundred years after the British built a railway through their East African colony, Kenyans celebrated building one of their own.

Consolata Muvea took a bus more than 10 hours to come to Mombasa for the first time and she was entranced by the train waiting at the station.

"I understand there is tea. There is a toilet. I want to see even the type of toilet is there," she said laughing. "Because if I hear that there is a toilet there, I just imagine. How? I am always traveling by bus and there is no toilet. How can there be a toilet here? So, I am happy."

Peter Asiokomweka, 69, was marveling at the machine in front of him. It's a diesel locomotive because Kenya didn't have the infrastructure to pull off an electric train. Still, moving at around 65 mph, it is going halve the time it takes to get from the port city of Mombasa to the capital city of Nairobi.

"This one is going to make our country richer than it has been," Asiokomweka said. He looked around at the terminal, a modern building with swooping lines and a tower that reaches high into that vast African sky. He was awed. He says the building of this train is already overwriting the colonial legacy left by the British.

The rail line was financed with more than $3 billion borrowed from the Chinese government. A Chinese company built it, and a Chinese company will operate it for the first five years. For China, this project is part of a grand plan to revive the old Silk Road. In Africa, China imagines a vast network of rails, from Kenya, through Uganda and Burundi and up to South Sudan that can help it move its goods in and out of the continent with expediency.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said it was a "historic moment" because the rail line will "transform the economy of this country." The government hopes cargo from the port of Mombasa will be able to flow inland faster, more efficiently and cheaper than it does moving along a two-lane highway.

But critics have denounced the project for saddling the Kenyan people with debt. Back in 2013, the World Bank said it would not help finance the project and it also released a damning report questioning the project's financial logic.

Kenya was already running a railway left over from colonial times. According to a World Bank analysis, refurbishing that rail would have resulted in the same performance as the new line and cost less than half of what it took to build the new railway.

At the inaugural ride, however, finances were not discussed. To singing and dancing, President Kenyatta boarded the train and it began to snake its way across swaths of African bush.

It's a route that the British termed the Lunatic Express, in part because lions had a habit of eating the men working on the railway. But it's spectacularly beautiful country. It's rugged plains dotted with hulking hills, and every once in a while you're likely to spot an elephant or a baobab tree jutting improbably from the ground like a prehistoric giant.

And as the train cut its way from one town to another, over the course of 300 miles, one thing became certain: This was a proud moment for Kenyans. As the train lurched forward, little kids ran toward it waving and smiling, and women and men left their fieldwork and sought higher ground to get a look at this new, marvelous machine.</s>Kenya has opened a major new railway between the port city of Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta described it as a new chapter in the country's history.

The project has been funded by China.
Kenya opens the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, the East African country's largest infrastructure project since gaining independence.