Nairobi - The Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) attaches great importance to staff localization, according to project deputy manager Li Juguang.

Li noted that 572 Chinese managerial personnel and engineers have arrived in Kenya so far and 2,162 local employees have been recruited.

CRBC said there will be around 2,500 Chinese management personnel and engineers and up to 30,000 local personnel of different categories for the SGR during the construction period.

The proportion of Chinese personnel to Kenyan will be about 1: 10, and local employees will be the main force for implementing the project, Li said.

Located in Kenya, the upcoming railway will connect the port city of Mombasa and the capital Nairobi with a total length of 485 km. The designed speed is 80km/h and 120 km/h for freight and passenger trains respectively.

Li said the head office of Mombasa-Nairobi SGR project is responsible for the construction management with three branch offices in Nairobi, Mtito Andei and Mombasa and 18 site offices along the route.

According to Li, CRBC plans would set up a "Long Service Award" for local employees to enhance their sense of belonging. It will also assist employees who have difficulties in their life.

Chinese premier Li Keqiang witnessed the signing of the loan agreement for the SGR project along with the heads of state from four East African countries during his visit to Kenya in May.