A lavish ceremony heads by president, Uhuru Kenyatta, began today the prince of the railway between this capital and Mombasa port, which project saves resources and increase this African country " s economy.
Economist Kwame Owino told Al Jazeera that "Kenya's railway costs [per kilometre] are nearly 40 to 50 percent higher" than in some of Kenya's neighbouring countries.
In the future, China plans to extend the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway to Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan with a prospective total length of 2,700 kilometres. "It was then known as the Lunatic Express".
The World Bank, and others, warned that building a new railway, instead of refurbishing the old one, was by far the most expensive option. "I expect significant and positive economic spillover effects", said Aly Khan Satchu, a Nairobi-based investment consultant.
Meanwhile, State House said that the launch coincides with the historic June 1 Madaraka Day celebrations when Kenya attained internal self-rule from the British colonialists.
The standard-gauge railway was built with the help of loans from the Chinese government.
"I think that is a little bit of wishful thinking", economist Kwame Owino told the AFP, questioning rosy estimates about how much cargo will be available for the rail line to transport."My feeling as an economist is that it is going to be a white elephant, but as a taxpayer, I hope not".
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He said the government, whose debt has doubled in three years, would be forced to raise taxes to cover the bill.
Dancers and a military band entertained passengers and dignitaries from Kenya and China shortly before they, and Kenyatta, were to take the maiden journey from a gleaming new terminal in the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi.
The railway will be managed by the Chinese contractor for five years before being handed over to the Kenyan government.
Activists have blocked the railway's second phase with a court order because of concerns about the impact on wildlife as it cuts across Nairobi National Park.
The new single-track line is built to Chinese "Class 1" standards, designed for robustness and low maintenance, with 25 tonne axleloads and passenger trains operating at up to 140 km/h and freight trains at up to 80 km/h.
He said that the new train, which cost $3.8 billion, will revolutionize the country's transport sector.
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