Survey Teams Deploy to Kisumu Terminus Site as SGR Phase 2B Preparations Intensify

Technical teams from Kenya Railways and the National Land Commission have arrived in Kisumu to begin the formal identification and marking of boundaries for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Phase 2B. This field exercise focuses on the proposed Kisumu Terminus site, a central component of the 263.7-kilometre extension that will eventually link Naivasha to the border town of Malaba.

The current activity involves the precise measurement of land sizes and the confirmation of affected land parcels. This data is essential for the gazettement process, which provides the legal framework for land acquisition and subsequent compensation for project-affected persons. Surveyors are utilizing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment to ensure that the corridor boundaries are established with high-fidelity accuracy, minimizing errors in the cadastral maps that will govern the construction phase.

Phase 2B is expected to follow a southern route, passing through Narok, Bomet, Kericho, and Nyamira before terminating in Kisumu. This alignment was selected following technical reviews that prioritized engineering feasibility and cost management. Internal government estimates place the cost of this specific phase at approximately Sh380 billion, while the total extension to Malaba, encompassing Phase 2C, is projected to reach Sh645.8 billion.

The scope of the work in Kisumu includes more than the primary station. Plans include an 8.69-kilometre spur line designed to connect the main Kisumu station directly to the recently refurbished Kisumu Port. This link is intended to facilitate the efficient transfer of cargo between the rail network and Lake Victoria vessels, serving regional markets in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The National Land Commission has emphasized the importance of using public land where possible to streamline the acquisition timeline. Officials, including those from the Ministry of Roads and Transport, have been conducting reconnaissance visits across the corridor to engage with local leadership and assess the suitability of various sites. In January, teams visited locations such as Kodiaga and Kibos to verify land availability for the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony.

On the ground, the surveying process involves transect walks and community mapping to establish a clear asset inventory. This technical documentation is a prerequisite for the Relocation Action Plan (RAP), which manages the social impact of the infrastructure on local residents. By confirming the exact acreage required for the railway, the government aims to ensure the land acquisition process remains transparent and adheres to statutory regulations.

The broader SGR project remains a priority within Kenya's Vision 2030 framework. With the Nairobi-to-Naivasha section already operational, the extension to Kisumu represents the next major segment of the Northern Corridor. Once construction begins, the project is expected to take approximately four years to complete, introducing 25 new stations along the route and enabling passenger trains to operate at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour.