Kenya’s President William Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni have officially launched the construction of the Sh650 billion Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension from Naivasha to Kisumu and onward to Malaba, marking a major milestone in East Africa’s infrastructure development.
The 370-kilometre railway project, unveiled during a high-profile ceremony in Kisumu, is designed to connect Kenya’s existing SGR network to the Ugandan border at Malaba, a critical gateway for regional trade. The launch signals a renewed commitment by both countries to strengthen economic ties and enhance connectivity within the East African Community.
In a statement shared on his official X account, President Museveni described the railway as a transformative initiative that will significantly improve trade and logistics across the region.
“This is a strategic project that will reduce the cost of transport, ease the movement of goods, and deepen economic integration within East Africa. I look forward to this engagement,” he said.
The project is expected to ease the movement of cargo from the Port of Mombasa through Kenya and into Uganda and beyond, cutting transport costs and transit times that have long hindered landlocked countries. By shifting freight from road to rail, the SGR extension will also help reduce congestion along the Northern Corridor while boosting efficiency and reliability.
President Ruto noted that the new phase builds on the success of earlier SGR sections, which have already transformed Kenya’s transport system. He emphasized that extending the railway to Kisumu and Malaba is a crucial step toward unlocking regional trade potential and positioning East Africa as a competitive economic bloc.
Beyond trade, the railway is anticipated to stimulate economic growth along its route through job creation, urban development, and increased investment opportunities. It also complements Uganda’s plans to extend its own rail network from Kampala to Malaba, paving the way for a seamless rail link from the Indian Ocean deep into the region.
The launch ceremony, held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, brought together government officials, regional leaders, and stakeholders, underscoring the importance of collaboration in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects.
Analysts say the SGR extension could redefine transport and trade dynamics in East Africa, offering faster, cheaper, and more reliable movement of goods while strengthening regional integration for years to come.
