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{
    "id": 136600,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/136600/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 271,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, other important areas of policy reforms undertaken by the Ministry include the joint concessioning of the Kenya-Uganda railways. After years of decline in the performance of rail operations, the Government decided to concession freight and passenger services of the Kenya Railways Corporation. On 1st November, 2006, the Governments of Kenya and Uganda jointly concessioned the Kenya-Uganda railways to the Rift Valley Railways Company. This is a private operator. The period of concession is 25 years for freight services and five years for passenger services. This shift in policy is intended to stimulate private sector investment into the current dilapidated rail network and rolling stock. The anticipated improved efficiency in operations will reduce transportation costs in the region, thereby making Kenya the preferred transit country into the hinterlands. It will also make Kenyan goods competitive in the regional and global markets. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the second aspect of the policy reforms undertaken by the Ministry is on regional integration. The Government is very keen on strengthening regional integration, especially with our member States. Towards this end, the Ministry has plans to implement a new transport corridor from the Port of Lamu to Ethiopia and Southern Sudan. This undertaking will comprise of a road network, rail line, oil refinery, oil pipeline, Lamu Port and a free port at Lamu. The project will be implemented on an operate and transfer concept. It is estimated to cost US$15 billion. A draft bilateral agreement has been prepared between our Government and that of Ethiopia. The third aspect is development of free ports. The Government will be inviting private sector participation in the development and operation of free port facilities. The Ministry has planned to develop a free trade zone at the Port of Mombasa through"
}