History made as train engines roar to life in Mombasa, Kenya

                                                             (C)GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD

History was made in Mombasa, Kenya yesterday when six of the 56 locomotives that will bestride the Standard Gauge Railway roared to life. The co-joined six-two shunting diesel electric locomotives - four of them freight cars - were pulled off the new SGR marshalling yard in Port Reitz by Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia and other top State officials. A group of Giriama dancers raced alongside, applauding, dancing and singing. And Kayamba Africa belted out their signature tunes, the most relevant one for the occasion being 'Amazing Grace' - "...I was once blind but now I see..." In the driver's seat was a China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) locomotive driver. And behind him to enjoy the historic ride were Mr Macharia, Kenya Railways chairman Jeremiah Kianga, Infrastructure Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera, Charge de Affairs at the Chinese embassy Yao Ming, Kenya Railways Chief Executive Atanus Maina, CRBC Deputy General Manager Li Qiang, Project Co-ordinator Johnson Matu and Coast Regional Co-ordinator Nelson Marwa.

Source: StandardMedia