Scanners to be installed at SGR stations

janet ndila

March 29, 2017 1:29 PM

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that it will install cargo scanners along SGR

Standard gauge railway under construction

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that it will install cargo scanners along the Standard Gauge railway (SGR) stations.

Speaking on Tuesday, the regional chief manager for customs and border control, John Bisonga stated that the scanners would be used to monitor cargo ferried by the SGR trains.

“The number of containers that will be transported using the trains is huge and we will need to ensure there is proper surveillance. Drive-through scanners will also be installed along the SGR route,” Mr Bisonga was quoted.

It’s estimated that SGR trains will haul 200 containers on a daily basis when they begin to operate between Mombasa and Nairobi on June 1.

Meanwhile, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said that SGR will be upgraded to electric railroad once the power supply becomes dependable.

Mr Macharia disclosed that the move would dent the taxpayers an additional cost to a tune of 15% of the money already spent on the construction of the 472km line from Mombasa to Nairobi.

"We didn't want to construct an electric line yet we don't have a dependable source of electricity. So we had to construct a diesel locomotive line with a provision of upgrading it," Macharia stated.

Mr Macharia noted that the undependability of the power in Kenya could not allow a onetime roll out of the electric rail adding that the assurance that there would be enough power to sustain the line would mean an immediate roll out.

The CS added,"We hope to upgrade in about three to four years.”

janet ndila