Kenya and Uganda have taken a major step toward strengthening regional integration with the inauguration of the 107-kilometre Kisumu–Malaba section of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a project aimed at enhancing trade and connectivity across East Africa.
The milestone, marked on Saturday, brings the region closer to linking the port city of Mombasa to inland markets, including Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The development is part of a broader railway network that will connect Mombasa, Nairobi, Naivasha, Kisumu, and Malaba, forming a critical transport corridor for goods and passengers.
Footage aired on The Heads Show captured Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2C of the railway extension in Kisumu County. The event underscores growing cooperation between the two nations in infrastructure development.
President Ruto highlighted recent progress, noting that construction had already begun on Phase 2B, a 264-kilometre stretch from Narok to Kisumu. He described the railway as a transformative project that will serve multiple countries in the region.
“This railway line will serve our partner states in the region. It is a powerful statement of regional integration, partnership and shared ambition,” Ruto said.
Once completed in 2028, the railway is expected to significantly reduce travel time along the corridor from approximately 14 hours to just four. Freight costs are also projected to drop by 35 percent, a move officials say will streamline the movement of goods between Uganda and the Kenyan coast.
The SGR, constructed by Chinese firms between 2013 and 2019, currently connects Mombasa to Nairobi and Naivasha. The new extensions will ultimately link with Uganda’s planned Malaba–Kampala line, creating a seamless rail network across borders.
Leaders say the project will unlock economic opportunities, improve logistics efficiency, and strengthen trade ties across East Africa, positioning the region for accelerated growth in the coming years.