The focus for SGR is to reduce the overall cost of transport and logistics,” Mr Maina said. An importer, for instance, pays $300 (Sh30,600) for a 40-foot loaded container from the port to Nairobi and $250 (Sh25,500) on the reverse route. A combination of cargo volumes and prices charged will reveal whether the project – which has been criticized for its high cost — is self-financing. The Mombasa-Nairobi phase of SGR cost $9.2 million (Sh947 million) per kilometre of track, way above the World Bank estimate of $3.25 million (Sh331 million). The World Bank made the estimate in a report that looked at the viability of building the modern railway in East Africa.

Source: Daily Nation February 05, 2018 18:56 UTC