China officially handed over the Standard Gauge Railway to Kenya on Tuesday. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was joined at the Port of Mombasa by dozens of top officials from the Chinese companies that helped build and fund the railway project.

The handover ceremony included traditional dancing and singing to mark this occasion. The railway should eventually link up to the entire East African region. It's been called a potential game changer for Kenya and the region. President Kenyatta is due to leave from the Mombasa station on Wednesday morning to take the inaugural train to Nairobi.

The Standard Gauge Railway cuts across Kenya's largest national park, the Tsavo National Park which is home to various wildlife. Many are concerned that it might harm to the ecosystem, but the government and the rail's main contractor said the design of the line has taken those concerns into account.

Tsavo National Park is one of the largest national parks in the world covering 4 percent of Kenya's total land mass. Encompassing two parks, Tsavo West and Tsavo East, the area is patrolled by some of the largest elephant herds. Conservationists argue the Standard Gauge Railway cutting through will restrict wildlife movement.

VCG Photo

As for such concern, the project's environmental officers said they have been taken into consideration. China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the contractors of the project, worked with Kenya Wildlife Service and zoologists to gather large amounts of information on animal migration. As a result, many corridors are built along the railway. The CRBC said, as part of an agreement, it will rehabilitate any negative impact caused by the project.

Visitors from across the world come to Kenya to experience and observe the wide variety of wildlife. As the country unveils its new railway, a shorter and easier trip between Nairobi and the Tsavo National Park is possible.