Is Colonialism Back In Mombasa? 🇰🇪

I've come to the port city of Mombasa to find the old Lunatic line that was built by the British Empire. The railway construction began in 1896 under British colonial rule, and it was primarily intended to facilitate trade and transport goods to the interior of East Africa. The line was famously called the "Lunatic Line" due to the immense challenges faced during its construction, including harsh terrain, hostile wildlife, and health risks, particularly from malaria and other diseases.

The railway played a crucial role in the development of Kenya, but its construction also had significant social and economic implications, including the forced labor of thousands of African workers, many of whom lost their lives during the construction process.

Today, parts of the old railway, along with some original stations and bridges, still exist and hold historical significance. The Lunatic Line is a reminder of Kenya's colonial past and the challenges faced during its development.

A new foreigner is in town now and they are the ones building the new infrastructure of this budding country, including the Standard Gauge Railway that replaces the Lunatic line.

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kenya is a modern railway system that was completed in 2017. It is officially known as the "Madaraka Express" and connects the port city of Mombasa to the capital city Nairobi and further to Naivasha, with future plans for extension to other regions. Here's a summary of the SGR in Kenya:

The SGR is a major infrastructure project aimed at transforming Kenya's transportation system. It was constructed by Chinese contractors and funded through loans from China. The railway system was designed to replace the old, narrow-gauge railway that had been in operation since colonial times.

The project faced criticism due to the high cost of construction and the financial burden of Chinese loans. Concerns were raised about potential debt issues and questions about the transparency of the loan agreements.