Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o has lauded the government’s decision to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu.
Nyong’o said that the move was set to boost economic activities in the lakeside county and at the same time facilitate quick movement of people and goods from Mombasa to Kisumu and Uganda, and also open up the western tourist circuit which will spur economic growth.
The initiative, he added was set to enhance activities at the refurbished Kisumu Port opening up opportunities for residents of the Lake region to trade.
“I would like to thank Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen for announcing the long-awaited extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Kisumu beginning this year,” he said.
Murkomen said that the government had estimated that 35% of the works shall be completed by the end of this year.
“Our commitment is to construct 35 percent of SGR Phase 2B (Naivasha – Kisumu) by the end of 2024,” he stated.
The SGR project was started by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and was expected to run from Mombasa to Kisumu, however, it stalled after phase 2 A of the project from Nairobi-Naivasha due to lack of funds.
Ultimately, the SGR is expected to be extended from Kisumu to Uganda as detailed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Kenya and Uganda on July 28, 2023.
According to the MoU, the railway line will be used for the transportation of goods and passengers enhancing trade between Kenya and Uganda.
The two countries are key trade partners with the latter depending on Kenya for the transportation of key products such as fuel through the Mombasa – Nairobi – Kisumu – Malaba highways.
The CS also revealed that the government would commence construction of four Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) lines across the country.
Among them is Embakasi – Ruai, Ngong – Kiserian, SGR Terminus – Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Voi – Taveta.
“The key commitment is to increase MGR passenger numbers to six million by the end of the year,” he said.
By Fredrick Odiero
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