Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd in conjuction with the County government of Kajiado has launched a passenger train service operating from Kajiado to Konza town.
The passenger coach is set to serve surrounding communities between Kajiado and Konza and will run twice a week with two stopover points identified at Oloshainki and Mumo Matemu.
The Rail Passenger Coach Service will ease movement of people, goods and services which will empower the local community as well as provide savings in both time and money for commuters.
The train has a capacity of 150 and will be operated by Tata Chemicals Magadi Company Ltd as a way to ease travel between Konza and Kajiado.
Speaking during the launch in Kajiado town Tuesday, before taking a ride to Konza in the passenger train, Governor Joseph Lenku said the train services will ease transportation, improve efficiency and smoothen ease of conducting businesses for the people of the county.
Lenku said passengers will be charged Sh100 as fare from Konza to Magadi and any other dropout stations between will be charged Sh50.
“My government is committed to achieving development agendas as pledged in my manifesto. This train services will ease services and foster my agenda by opening up the county to commercial opportunities while empowering the local communities,” said Lenku.
Tata Chemicals Magadi Managing Director, Eng. Jackson Mbui said the passenger coach will serve surrounding communities twice a week.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mbui said Tata Chemicals Magadi’s role in this community goes beyond the mantle of local employer.
“Over the decades, this company has been part of this community. We have always tried to build deep and meaningful connections with our people. The need for a more efficient transportation system in Kajiado is apparent as we continue with our collective journey down the path of local community empowerment,” said Mbui.
As a company, he said, the provision of a rail passenger coach service between Kajiado and Konza will have a positive impact on the community from both social and economic perspective.
Mbui said the passenger coach service will empower the local community as well as provide savings in both time and money for commuters. Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited (TCML) occupies a significant place in the Kenyan economy, according to Mbui.
Established in 1911, Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited (TCML) has been producing soda ash at Lake Magadi for over one hundred years.
TCML converts trona into soda ash, which is transported by rail to its trans- shipment facility in Kajiado.
The facility also serves as a dispatch point for TATA Chemicals products to the local market and then Soda Ash is transported to the port of Mombasa for onward shipping to the international
The MD said the company is an important part of the socio-economic fabric of the Lake Magadi region in Kenya where its soda ash facility is based. Formerly known as Magadi Soda Company, TCML has been a part of Tata Chemicals since 2005.
By Rop Janet and Albert Lemomo.
