The government will rehabilitate the Malaba-Longonot railway line to facilitate movement of bulk cargo, Busia county commissioner Joseph Kanyiri has said.
The project will be undertaken by the national government through the Kenya Railway Corporation.
Kanyiri spoke in Malaba on Saturday after chairing a meeting with stakeholders from the Busia county government and national government agencies including Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority and Kenya Power.
He called on both governments to sensitise the community to protect Kenya Railway property from theft, vandalism and encroachment.
The administrator said people should be aware of the return of railway operations and that those who have encroached on railway land should vacate. It is required that people stay at least 30 metres away from both sides of the railway line.
Busia infrastructure and transport executive Okwara Ekirapa thanked the national government for undertaking the project, saying it was of great importance to residents.
He said the revival of the railway will make Busia more economically viable through the improvement of trade.
The rehabilitation is estimated to take eight months. Kanyiri said a contractor has already been handed the tender by the national government and is expected on site.
Edited by P.O
