The Kenya government has officially relaunched its long-stalled Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension project, marking a major step toward completing a regional transport corridor that has been dormant for over six years.
President William Ruto on Thursday presided over the launch of the project in Narok County, signalling renewed momentum for one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure undertakings.
Project Overview
The railway extension, being implemented by Kenya Railways in collaboration with the National Land Commission, will be developed in two main phases:
- Naivasha to Kisumu
- Kisumu to Malaba (near the Ugandan border)
The project had previously stalled near Naivasha, more than 350 kilometres short of its intended endpoint, after funding from China slowed under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The government now plans to inject over Ksh500 billion into the revival, with the longer 264-kilometre Naivasha–Kisumu section receiving the bulk of the funding.
Construction Timeline and Design
According to Philip Mainga, Phase 2B of the project is expected to be completed by June 2027.
The Naivasha–Kisumu line will run from Emurtoto in Narok County to Kisumu, including an 8.69-kilometre branch line to a proposed new port in Kisumu. It will feature six intermediate stations in Narok, Mulot, Bomet, Sotik, Sondu, and Ahero, crossing multiple counties including Bomet, Kericho, Nyamira, and Kisumu.
The 107-kilometre Kisumu–Malaba section will include stations in Yala and Mumias, with additional crossings in Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, Kakamega, and Busia counties.
The infrastructure plan includes 13 tunnels, 23 bridges, and 376 culverts, reflecting the scale and engineering complexity of the project.
Capacity and Economic Impact
Each passenger train will carry up to 1,096 passengers, operating at speeds of 120 km/h, while freight trains will handle up to 4,000 tonnes at 80 km/h. The railway is designed to transport up to 22 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Officials say the extension will significantly improve logistics efficiency, reduce transport costs, and accelerate the movement of goods and passengers. It is also expected to boost regional trade and strengthen integration with neighbouring countries, particularly Uganda.
The first phase of the SGR, connecting Mombasa to Nairobi, was completed in 2017 and remains a key component of Kenya’s transport network.
Financing Debate
The project’s revival comes amid ongoing debate over infrastructure financing. Critics have previously cited the stalled railway as an example of China’s “debt trap diplomacy,” a claim consistently rejected by Beijing.
With construction now set to resume, the government faces the dual challenge of delivering the project within timelines while ensuring financial sustainability.
