Residents from five counties are set to benefit in the planned extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba expected to take years to complete.
This after the government officially commenced the third phase of the extension, with feasibility studies already underway.
The planned SGR extension will run from Naivasha to Malaba passing through Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Nyamira and Kisumu counties.
The government has earmarked the construction of Phase 2B and 2C of the railway which is set to commence in 2025 with an estimated cost of Sh648 billion.
The 475-kilometer extension project is viewed as a game-changer for the agricultural, trade, tourism, and transport sectors in the affected regions.
In a major step towards the realization of the project, senior government officials led by Engineers Tobias Otieno and Nathaniel Ochieng from Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) have begun geographical surveys of the expected railway line.
During the visits, they also engaged with residents in the affected areas assuring them that they would be compensated for any land or property affected by the railway construction.
Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar said the SGR extension will play a he economic role in connecting Kenya with the greater East African region.
“We are in top gear to ensure we extend the line to Kisumu and then Malaba, thereby allowing us to connect with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Mr Daghar said.
The SGR extension is part of the larger East African Railway Master Plan, aimed at replacing the existing meter-gauge railways across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Additionally, there are plans for further extensions into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which will further enhance regional trade and economic integration.
The project is expected to breath life to the economies of the five counties through improved infrastructure and market access.
The railway is poised to open up new trade corridors, enhance the movement of goods and facilitate better access to previously difficult-to-reach tourist destinations.
According to a working document from KRC, trade is expected to increase significantly in the regions along the SGR route while 'hidden' tourist attractions will also gain prominence.
Among the biggest beneficiaries of the SGR project will be Narok County home to the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The reserve, famous for the Great Migration of wildebeests, is one of Kenya's most popular tourist destinations. With the SGR providing cheaper more efficient transport from Nairobi and Kisumu cities, Narok County is set to see an increase in the number of visitors to the park.
The project will also see the construction of at least two sub-stations in Narok County most likely in Narok Town and Mulot.
This will make access to the Maasai Mara much easier by rail and road, significantly reducing the time spent in traffic jams along the Nairobi-Naivasha-Mai Mahiu-Narok road.
The current bottlenecks on the road have often delayed tourists, but with the SGR in place, travel to the reserve will become quicker and more convenient, offering a huge boost to both tourism and trade.
East Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry official Njuguna Kamau yesterday highlighted the long-term benefits for the tourism sector.
“The SGR will be a great boost to the Maasai Mara tourism circuit. It will open up the region to the world. Tourists landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will easily access the Maasai Mara through the SGR,” Mr Kamau said.
In Bomet County, the SGR is expected to significantly improve transportation for tea and processed milk products, both key agricultural exports. The railway line will pass through four sub-counties in the region, providing much-needed access to local markets and beyond.
Bomet Governor Prof Hillary Barchok expressed his support for the project noting its potential to transform the county.
“The SGR will be of great benefit to the residents, traders, and farmers of Bomet County. The railway line has a proposed sub-station in Bomet Town, between Kyogong and Kapkesosio centres. This will enhance the status of Bomet Town as a key commercial hub in the South Rift region,” said Mr Barchok.
Kericho County, which lies at the heart of Kenya’s tea-producing region is also set to benefit from the SGR extension.
The tea, pyrethrum, and other crops grown in Kericho will have better access to markets, both locally and internationally. The presence of intermediate stations in various locations will further boost trade by facilitating the movement of goods and people.
The agricultural-rich Gusii region, which includes Nyamira and Kisii counties, will also experience a significant economic uplift.
Both counties are key producers of food crops, including maize and potatoes, which have traditionally been sold locally due to a lack of proper transport infrastructure. With the introduction of the SGR, local farmers and entrepreneurs will have access to larger markets, including Nairobi and Kisumu.
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo described the SGR project as a “game-changer” for the region, predicting a boost in industrial growth and business opportunities.
“If the dream of being served with a railway line comes to reality, then we will be assured of multiplied opportunities in industrial growth as well as increased business opportunities,” said Governor Nyaribo.
Kisumu County one of the final stops on the SGR extension is expected to see transformative growth as a result of the project.
The city is set to become a major hub in the East African Community, with the SGR improving transportation links between Kisumu, Uganda, and the rest of Kenya. The extension will support the growth of the mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors, while also revitalizing the Kisumu Port, which is being refurbished at a cost of Sh3 billion.
Governor Peter Nyong’o hailed the project as a “game-changer” for the region, particularly in improving travel and business between Kisumu and Uganda.
"The SGR will greatly improve travel between Kisumu and Uganda and support both ordinary travel and business. The long-awaited extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Kisumu will also make the refurbished Kisumu port more vibrant,” said Prof Nyong’o.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga singled out the regional benefits of the SGR saying: “The SGR will open Kenya to the rest of East Africa. The link is expected to boost trade and tourism in East Africa, hence spurring economic growth.”
SGR extension will also connect to the recently refurbished Kisumu Port, enabling the shipment of cargo and passengers to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC via Lake Victoria.
The revitalized port, together with the SGR, will transform Kisumu into a key player in regional trade, making Lake Victoria a crucial transport corridor for goods entering and leaving the East African region.
Kenya plans to use the port to export a range of goods, including fertilizer, cement, rice, edible oil, and dry cargo such as spare parts.
The combination of the SGR and Kisumu Port is expected to raise the fortunes of the lakeside city, positioning it as a regional economic hub and improving trade across East Africa.
The extension had been delayed to get the buy in or the regional states and its part of China President Xi Jingpin silk road project under the Belts and Roads Initiative (BRI).
