Kenya has reignited work on its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) expansion, moving west from Naivasha toward the Ugandan border after a six-year halt. The project, designed to connect the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa with Uganda and beyond, promises to reshape trade corridors across East Africa.
The original SGR, inaugurated in stages starting in 2017, transformed domestic freight and passenger transport between Mombasa, Nairobi, and Naivasha. However, progress stalled beyond Naivasha due to funding challenges and logistical delays, leaving communities along the western corridor waiting for years.
Construction crews have now returned to the route, focusing on Phases 2B (Naivasha–Kisumu) and 2C (Kisumu–Malaba). Officials report active work on track-laying, bridges, and station infrastructure, with local authorities coordinating with communities to minimize disruption. Residents say the renewed activity has brought hope for economic revival, particularly in towns that have long relied on road transport for trade.
Government statements emphasize that the extension is central to Kenya’s regional trade strategy. Once completed, the SGR will reduce transit times from Mombasa’s port to Uganda, facilitating faster movement of goods through the Northern Corridor and linking Kenya to Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and eastern DR Congo.
