Nyamira: Nyamira residents are thrilled and expressed appreciation after the President Dr. William Ruto decreed inclusion of a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) station at Ikonge in Nyamira North at a cost of Sh300 million.
According to Kenya News Agency, there had been a worrying disquiet by residents of Nyamira County after designs of the extension of the SGR from Naivasha to Malaba excluded Nyamira County, which residents argued was a serious omission since the Ikonge SGR station was meant to serve the entire Gusii region and the neighbouring Migori and Homabay Counties.
Daniel Obwoge, a trader at Ikonge town, shared his initial disappointment when he learned that the SGR would bypass Nyamira without a designated station. However, he expressed relief and happiness after President Ruto announced the inclusion of the station at Ikonge during his development tour in Gusii land.
Obwoge highlighted the challenges faced by the region, stating that the Gusii region transports significant amounts of foodstuffs and c
ash crops to Nairobi and Mombasa. The lack of a station had led to losses due to delays in transportation, causing perishable goods like avocados, sugarcane, bananas, and local vegetables to spoil before reaching their destinations.
Martha Nyaboke, a sugarcane and avocado vendor, echoed similar sentiments regarding the high costs and time-consuming nature of transporting goods to Nairobi. She explained how fuel price increases and transportation mishaps impacted her business. Nyaboke expressed optimism that the new SGR station would ensure safer and timely delivery of her products, allowing her to expand her customer base to Mombasa.
The extension of the SGR from Naivasha to Kisumu and Malaba is expected to enhance the movement of people and cargo, with passenger trains reaching speeds of up to 120KM per hour and freight trains at 80KM per hour.
The President’s four-day development tour in Kisii and Nyamira Counties has spotlighted the region for development, initiating several infrastructure projects ali
gned with the Kenya Kwanza’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
