The commencement ceremony of the second phase of the Neyma Railway project, undertaken by China Communications Construction Group (referred to as "CCCC"), was held on the 19th in Narok County, Kenya. Kenyan President William Ruto attended the event, with both Chinese and foreign builders in attendance. As the key extension line of the Mombasa Nairobi Railway and Nairobi Malaba Phase I of the landmark project of the China Kenya joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", Nairobi Malaba Railway Phase II starts from Naivasha, the terminal point of Nairobi Malaba Phase I, and ends at Nuki Sumu, Kenya's third largest city and an important transportation hub. The total length of the main line plus branch lines is 272.65 kilometers. This project will improve the architecture of the East African railway network, supporting connectivity and sustainable development in Africa. Ruto said at the commencement ceremony: "The launch of the second phase of the Nairobi Malaba Railway is an important step in promoting the process of national economic transformation. The extension of the railway will further improve transport efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and boost Kenya's position as a hub in the Great Lakes region and the African continent's trade system." The Chinese project representative said that as an important flagship project of the the Belt and Road initiative in East Africa, the standard gauge railway has become an important engine to promote regional connectivity and economic development. After the project is launched, China Communications Construction Corporation will fully leverage its advantages in the entire industry chain to efficiently promote construction, deepen localization cooperation, strengthen technical training, create more employment opportunities, and help Kenya's economic and social development. According to China Communications Construction Corporation, after the completion of the entire section of the Nairobi Malaba Railway and the planned standard gauge in Uganda, the travel time from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to Kampala, the capital of Uganda, will be shortened from about 14 hours to about 4 hours, and the freight cost will be reduced by about 35%. This will drive the development of agriculture and fisheries in western Kenya, promote Kisumu to become a regional logistics hub, and further enhance economic and trade exchanges between Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and other countries. (New Society)