The
recent task force report on state corporations that recommended winding up and
merging of several state corporations came as a sigh of relief to the public
owing to the ballooning wage bill. Most of the parastatals had duplicate
mandates or related and have been for a long time seen to be spending tax payer’s
money without anything to show for it. The employees just like other government
agencies are relaxed in performing their duties since they know they will get
paid and funding will always be there anyway for the next financial year. The
move by the government to make state corporations more accountable will greatly
enhance productivity and service delivery.
The
Kenya Railways Corporation was established by an Act of Parliament (Cap 397) of
the Laws of Kenya, and commenced operations on January 20, 1978. The Kenya
Railway (KR) was spared during the radical surgery carried out in the
parastatals and they have been very busy lately working on various projects
aimed at providing efficient transport. KR was at one time ranked among the
worst performing state corporations but of late, their effort has been encouraging.
Some of the projects its currently undertaking include: National Railway
Network and Connections Greater Nairobi Commuter Rail Services, Lamu-Nadapal
Standard Gauge Railway, The Great Equatorial Land Bridge, Mombasa Island Rail Commuter
Services, Moi International Airport Rail Commuter Services, Kisumu Region Rail
Commuter Services and the Proposed Railway City Development. Recently, the president
H.E Uhuru Kenyatta led the nation in a ground breaking ceremony of the railway
that will link Mombasa and Kigali will significantly improve transportation
within the East Africa community.
While
the president was launching the Mombasa-Kigali railway, KR was busy carrying
out final touches on the Imara Daima and Makadara railways stations. The two
stations are virtually ready for operation and it is anticipated that they roll
out the commuter services in due to time. The stations are expected to ease
transport nightmare in the city especially in the densely populated ‘Prime East’
(Eastlands). When KR announced the plans anyone who has ever been caught in the
heavy traffic jam a long Jogoo Road and Mombasa Road appreciated the plans. The
two stations come on the background of operationalization of the Syokimau
railway station serving those in Mlolongo, Athi River and Kitengela environs.
However,
despite the initiatives put forth by the KR, the Nairobi’s train commuter services
are still being underutilized. The trains plying Syokimau route have been
experiencing low usage as people use the public service vehicles. This has been
attributed to relatively high fare charges which was ranging between Ksh.80 and
Ksh.200 but has since been reduced to Ksh.30 though the cabins are still empty.
The Syokimau station had earlier targeted the middle class but going by the
empty cabins, it seems the plan flopped. Perhaps what they had failed to
realize was the fact that most of the middle class prefer the prestige of
driving their cars as opposed to using the train.
The
low income earners, alternative target market, could not use them owing to the
high fares hence necessitating the reduction. Another probable reason for low
usage is the rigid train schedules. The trains have specific times operating
which has disadvantaged it when it comes to competing with the PSVs which are
very flexible and one can travel anytime. KR should therefore introduce more
schedules so that they don’t restrict travelling to early morning and in the
evening. As KR continues to expand its commuter services and improve the infrastructure,
it will help in easing up transport congestion in the city having in mind that
the city’s population is increasing daily and also provide efficient transport
solutions countrywide. Otherwise, they are doing quite a good job.
