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The Chinese crew on board cuts the image of a humble servant, but there is a huge contrast between what happens when in public glare and what really goes on in private. [Photo: Paul Wafula, Standard]
Exclusive: Behind the SGR walls
The Standard Gauge Railway has made the journey from Kenya’s Capital Nairobi to the port City of Mombasa easier. The tugging of the locomotive engine cutting across the Tsavo wilderness to finally descend towards the Indian Ocean is a thing to marvel at.
The coaches are almost always spotless, smiling staff willing you on board. To an outsider, the Chinese crew on board cuts the image of a humble servant, ready to please. They will hardly say a word whenever top government officials convene press conferences in their presence to celebrate another of their milestones.
But beneath this shiny veneer is a tale of pain, anguish and broken dreams for a multitude of Kenyans who feel trapped on the train that ably fits the moniker Orient Express, because on it, Chinese nationals have created a small kingdom in which they run roughshod over Kenyan workers who say they are experiencing neo-colonialism, racism and blatant discrimination as the taxpayer foots the Sh30million a day bill for the train, whcih losely translates to Sh1billion at the end of every month.
Read more at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/
