Construction of the long-awaited Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension has officially begun.
Kenya Railways officially commenced construction works on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Narok County. The groundbreaking ceremony was initially presided over by President William Ruto on March 19, 2026, at Narok Teachers Training College Grounds. Following that launch, full-scale construction activity is now underway on the ground.
Naivasha – Kisumu – Malaba SGR Begins pic.twitter.com/lMMQq31tzc
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) July 7, 2026
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga confirmed the milestone, stating: “Today marks a historic milestone as the official construction works for the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project have commenced in Narok County.” Narok County covers approximately 100 kilometres of the SGR corridor and plays a critical role in this transformative infrastructure project.
Key Project Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Extension |
| Total Length | 475 kilometres |
| Total Cost | KSh700 billion |
| Contractor | China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) |
| Project Launch | March 19, 2026 (Narok County) |
| Construction Commenced | July 1, 2026 |
| Completion Target | June or August 2027 |
| Route | Naivasha → Narok → Bomet → Kericho → Nyamira → Kisumu → Malaba (Kenya-Uganda border) |
Project Phases
The project is being implemented in two phases:
Phase 2B: Naivasha to Kisumu
- Length: Approximately 264 kilometres
- Branch Line: An 8.69-kilometre branch line to the proposed new Kisumu Port
- Intermediate Stations: Six stations located in Narok, Mulot, Bomet, Sotik, Sondu, and Ahero
- Crossing Sections: 17 crossing sections traversing Narok, Bomet, Nyamira, Kericho, and Kisumu counties
Phase 2C: Kisumu to Malaba
- Length: Approximately 107 kilometres
- Route: Extends from Kisumu through Siaya, Vihiga, Kakamega, and Busia counties to the Kenya-Uganda border at Malaba
- Intermediate Stations: Two stations in Yala and Mumias
- Crossing Stations: Six crossing stations including Kisian West, Ramala, Yala, Musanda, Manyulia, and Amukura
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passenger Train Capacity | 1,096 passengers per train |
| Passenger Train Speed | 120 km/h (designed) |
| Freight Train Haulage Capacity | 4,000 tonnes (216 TEUs) |
| Freight Train Speed | 80 km/h (designed) |
| Annual Freight Capacity | 22 million tonnes per annum |
| Design Feature | Uniform design specification permitting seamless cross-border operation |
Kisumu Railway City
Kisumu will host one of the largest stations on the SGR network as part of a modern railway city planned at the Car Wash area extending to the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway. The railway city will cover more than 100 acres and is expected to become the central rail terminal serving Western Kenya while attracting investment in commercial, industrial, and residential developments.
Kenya Railways MD Philip Mainga described it as transformative: “This is more than a city… The dynamics in this country will change.”
Land Acquisition & Compensation
Kenya Railways is collaborating closely with the National Land Commission (NLC) on land acquisition matters. Key developments include:
- Over 3,500 landowners are ready to be compensated
- Public engagement forums have been held with Project Affected Persons (PAPs) to explain land acquisition procedures and compensation processes
- A public sensitisation meeting was held on June 24, 2026, at the proposed SGR Terminus in Kibos for landowners affected by the project
- Inspections of gazetted properties commenced on June 25, 2026
- Kenya Railways has urged landowners to cooperate and allow NLC to complete its work to avoid project delays
- Warning against fraudsters: Mainga cautioned the public against individuals impersonating government officials and seeking title deeds
- Encroachers on Kenya Railways land reserves have been asked to vacate voluntarily
Economic Impact & Regional Integration
The SGR extension is expected to deliver significant economic benefits:
- Strengthen regional trade and reduce transport costs
- Enhance Kenya’s position as the region’s logistics hub
- Create employment opportunities during construction, with local communities given priority in recruitment
- Stimulate economic activity through business opportunities for suppliers of ballast, sand, aggregates, and service providers
- Spur industrial growth, tourism, and investment in counties along the railway corridor
- Connect Kenya’s railway network to Uganda through Malaba, supporting future regional integration
- Uganda is also pursuing plans to extend its SGR from Malaba to Kampala, making the Kenyan section a critical regional transport link
Financing
The project is valued at KSh700 billion. The project had previously stalled due to China’s reduced funding for large African infrastructure projects under its Belt and Road Initiative. However, construction is now progressing.
In a related development, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) approved a KSh95 billion (€650.75 million) financing package in June 2026, dedicated to Uganda’s SGR project, supporting the cross-border vision.
Completion Timeline
The entire Naivasha-Malaba extension is now targeted for completion by June or August 2027. Kenya Railways MD Philip Mainga expressed confidence that the contractor has the technical and financial capacity to complete the project within two years, provided all stakeholders support its implementation, particularly in matters relating to land acquisition and compensation.
📄 Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information from official government communications, project reports, and credible media sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, project details such as timelines, costs, and implementation status may change over time.
