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The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project extending from Naivasha to Kisumu is scheduled to officially kick off next month, with completion expected by June 2027, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga announced.
Mainga made the announcement following a consultative meeting with the National Land Commission and Kisumu County officials, where discussions focused on land acquisition, compensation, and project readiness ahead of the groundbreaking, slated for March 18–20.
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The government-funded 12-month project will connect Kisumu to the existing SGR network at Naivasha. Preparatory works, including surveys, have already begun at the main Kisumu station in Kibos near the Kenya Pipeline Company depot.
The extension is expected to streamline cargo transport, lower logistics costs, and enhance trade with neighboring countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Although the railway has been designed for future electrification, Mainga noted that national power infrastructure must be upgraded before electric trains can operate on the line.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o hailed the project as a historic milestone, fulfilling the long-standing goal of linking Kenya’s coast to Lake Victoria. He also assured residents that the county government, together with the National Land Commission, would ensure transparency, community engagement, and timely compensation during land acquisition.
The meeting emphasized proactive planning and community participation to avoid the disputes that have delayed other major infrastructure projects in Kenya.
