SGR Extension to Kisumu and Malaba Set to Begin in January, Says President Ruto

President William Ruto recently announced the impending commencement of the ambitious Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension project by January 2026, setting the stage for one of Kenya's largest infrastructure undertakings in recent history. 

The long-awaited construction, connecting Naivasha to Kisumu and ultimately stretching to the border town of Malaba, is scheduled to begin in January. This move is poised to fundamentally transform the country’s logistics landscape and solidify its position as the key gateway to the Great Lakes region.

The President framed the massive project not as a partisan initiative, but as the fulfillment of a shared national development blueprint, tracing its roots back to infrastructure agendas championed by previous leaders like Eng. Raila Amolo Odinga, noting that the SGR extension reflects a vital, common national goal.

The SGR extension is valued at an estimated Sh646 to Sh648 billion for the entire corridor linking the Rift Valley to Western Kenya and the crucial Ugandan border. This significant financial outlay underscores the national priority assigned to regional connectivity and efficient trade facilitation.

To manage the enormous cost and complexity, the government plans to employ a hybrid financing structure combining public funds with a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The state will be responsible for funding core civil works, the laying of tracks, and constructing modern railway stations.

Concurrently, private sector partners will be sought to supply and manage the rolling stock, including modern locomotives and high-capacity freight wagons.

Upon completion, this vital link is expected to unlock substantial new freight volumes, dramatically reduce the current high cost of transporting goods for exporters and importers, and significantly enhance Kenya's overall trade competitiveness across East Africa.

By providing a modern, high-capacity link to Malaba, the project promises to strengthen crucial regional trade flows with neighboring Uganda and open up a reliable transport backbone to wider markets in the region.