Foundation laid for Kenya railways network to be built with China's support

The foundation of the Kenya railway network to be built with the support of China has been laid: The foundation of the new railway network, which will be built in China with the financial support of China and extend to the neighboring countries Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the rail network, which has been considered the largest infrastructure project in the country since it gained independence 50 years ago, will be the beginning of a new era not only in Kenya, but in the whole East African region.
Describing the project as a “historic landmark”, Kenyatta stated that thanks to the railroad network, the East Africa region will be one of the continent's most important investment centers.
The first part of the railways will be built between the port city of Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi. The 2017 hour-long journey between Mombasa and Nairobi will be reduced to 15 hours, thanks to the rail expected to be completed in 4.
After the completion of the first part, the rail network will extend to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
The maximum speed limit in the railway network will be 120 kilometers per hour for passenger trains and 80 kilometers per hour for freight trains.
A large portion of the financial resources for railways expected to cost around $ 5,2 billion will be provided by China.
The agreement on the project was signed in August by Kenya President Kenyatta and the Chinese President Shi Cin Cinping.
Some circles opposed signing contracts with China's official Road and Bridge Company for the project without tendering.