Bill to revamp Kenya Railways undergoes public participations process

Members of the public in Kisumu follow proceedings during a public participation process on the Railways Bill 2024. The Bill seeks to establish the Railways Regulatory Authority-Story and Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

August 28, 2024

Bill to revamp Kenya Railways undergoes public participations process

A BILL seeking to revamp the Kenya Railways has begun to undergo the process of public participation across the country to get the view of members of the public.

The Bill known as the Railways Bill, 2024 once passed by Parliament and become an Act will establish the Kenya Railways Corporation.

Speaking in Kisumu during a public participation process in Kisumu, Senior Assistant Director in Roads and Rail Department within the Ministry of Transport Wendy Maina said  the Bill is now under the process of reviewing it.

Maina says the Bill will have three components that include operations, infrastructure and management.

She says the Bill will establish the Railways Regulatory Authority as the Railways economic and safety regulator.

Maina says the Railway Regulatory Authority will advise and make recommendations to the cabinet secretary on matters relating to railway technical and safety among other duties.

Maina says it will also provide for open access and make provision for infrastructure managers and train operators and for connected purposes.

She says under the Bill, there will be a duty to notify the authority especially to the Cabinet Secretary, of serious railways accidents.

Maina adds that under the Bill, there will be construction of a railway line both by public and private sector.

The Bill provides that a person shall not construct a railway line without the approval of the Railway Regulatory Authority, while granting approval, the authority shall consider a book of reference to the plan including a feasibility study indicating the identity of the owners of the lands described in the plan and a proof that it has complied with all the applicable requirements of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act needed as a proponent of the proposed Railway line.

During the process, some members of the public asked on how the assets of the Kenya Railways that include land will be utilized under the Bill when it becomes an Act of Parliament.