Nairobi: Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Infrastructure Davis Chirchir has announced that Kenya is on the path to a major infrastructure milestone as the government inches closer to inaugurating the extension of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway. Chirchir stated that this initiative aims to bolster regional trade and enhance transport networks across East Africa.
According to Kenya News Agency, preparations are underway for the groundbreaking of the railway project. Chirchir spoke at the Narok SGR terminus, where he inspected the start of work on the Phase 2 extension from Narok to Malaba. The launch is expected to be led by President William Ruto on March 19, at Narok Teachers Training College. Chirchir emphasized that the railway extension will link Kenya’s transport network with neighboring countries, strengthening trade routes across the region.
The Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba SGR extension is set to connect Kenya’s rail network to Uganda through Malaba, reinforcing the Northern Corridor, a vital gateway for trade across East and Central Africa. Chirchir, accompanied by Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, visited key sites where early preparations are ongoing in anticipation of the official launch ceremony, which will also be attended by Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The project is expected to significantly improve the movement of goods between Kenya and its neighbors while supporting economic growth in counties along the railway corridor. Leaders believe the railway will also reduce pressure on road transport and lower the cost of moving goods across the region. Chirchir highlighted the broader vision by Kenya and Uganda to strengthen cooperation and deepen regional economic integration through shared infrastructure development.
The SGR project is seen as transformative for the country, with the potential to boost trade, enhance connectivity, and create thousands of jobs. Chirchir noted that the railway would not only ease transportation but also stimulate economic growth across western Kenya and neighboring countries. The launch is expected to draw significant attention, with more than 20,000 people anticipated to attend.
Chirchir emphasized the government’s commitment to completing the project on schedule and meeting international standards. He added that the collaboration between Kenya and Uganda underscores the importance of regional integration in infrastructure development. The planned railway section, covering about 369 kilometers, aims to improve the movement of goods and passengers while reducing heavy dependence on road transport along the busy Northern Corridor linking Mombasa to neighboring countries.
Governor Ntutu noted that the project will play a key role in unlocking economic opportunities in Kenya and the larger western Kenya region, besides enhancing regional connectivity. He highlighted the regional significance of the railway, which is expected to improve connectivity between Kenya and Uganda and transform the regional transport system by providing a modern rail alternative to the thousands of trucks currently transporting cargo from the Port of Mombasa to inland destinations.
The Standard Gauge Railway remains one of Kenya’s flagship infrastructure initiatives aimed at lowering transport costs and improving cargo efficiency from the coast to inland markets. The first phase connects Mombasa to Nairobi, while the second extends from Nairobi to Naivasha. The proposed extension will push the line further west through Kisumu before reaching Malaba, a key crossing point linking Kenya to Uganda and the wider East African region.
Once completed, the railway is expected to boost economic integration in East Africa by enabling faster, cheaper, and more efficient movement of cargo and passengers across borders. The project is also expected to spur economic growth in western Kenya by improving connectivity, enhancing mobility, and opening up new opportunities for investment and commerce along the railway corridor.
