Construction of Naivasha-Kisumu SGR Officially Begins in Narok County

Kenya Railways has announced that official construction works on the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway have commenced in Narok County. The corporation shared the update on Wednesday via its official channels. This follows the project launch by President William Ruto on 18 March 2026.

Several months after that launch, physical activities are now underway along the corridor. The announcement indicates that earlier preparations have reached the point where contractors can begin operations on the ground.

July 1 /Handout

Narok County covers approximately 100 kilometres of the planned route. This portion sits early in the extension that is meant to serve Kisumu and continue to the Malaba border. The county’s location places it at the centre of the first visible works.

July 1 Narok site activities /Handout

Kenya Railways said it is coordinating with the National Land Commission on land acquisition. Commission officers are already active in the area to support valuations and related processes. The corporation views this partnership as important for keeping momentum.

Managing Director Philip Mainga urged landowners and affected persons to engage the National Land Commission directly. He advised that questions on compensation and other land matters should go through the commission’s established procedures.

The commencement was witnessed by Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia and County Secretary Mayan Tuya. National government officials, the project contractor, and local community leaders also attended the activities in the county.

Residents in Narok have shown optimism about the project, Kenya Railways noted. Many expect future benefits in connectivity and local economic activity once the line becomes operational.

The corporation restated its commitment to working with communities along the corridor. Regular engagement, it said, will help address issues as construction proceeds through different sections.

Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway began with the Mombasa to Nairobi line that opened in 2017. That section introduced faster passenger services and higher freight capacity than the older lines it succeeded.

Extending the network from Naivasha westward has remained a national objective for years. The new section through Narok will connect western Kenya more directly to the existing rail system and to cross-border routes at Malaba.

With teams and equipment now active on site, the project has shifted into its building phase. Early priorities include continued land acquisition and initial earthworks along the alignment in Narok.

No specific completion dates or further contract details appeared in the Wednesday updates. Kenya Railways indicated that additional information would be released as works advance in the coming weeks and months.