Ruto and Museveni launch Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba SGR project

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 STANDARD GUAGE RAILWAY 

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni joined his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in launching the construction of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba section of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kisumu County near the Kenya-Uganda border on Saturday.

Museveni attended the launch of this key infrastructural project on the invitation of Ruto.

"This is a strategic project that will reduce the cost of transport, ease the movement of goods, and deepen economic integration within East Africa," said the Ugandan leader in a post on social media platform X upon arriving in Kisumu.

The project will boost regional connectivity and significantly enhance trade and transport efficiency across East Africa, with Uganda linking in from Malaba to Kampala through its SGR connection.

The plan is to extend the SGR from Uganda to DR Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and beyond.

A number of Ugandan government officials attended the launch, including First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs Rebecca Kadaga and works and transport minister Gen Katumba Wamala.

Speaking at the launch, Ruto said the SGR "will further unlock regional opportunities, stimulating fresh waves of economic activity and deepening integration in our region".

The Kenya-Uganda Railway is a colonial infrastructure traversing Kenya from the coast to the western region and into Uganda.

"It profoundly shaped the geography and economic trajectory of our region," said Ruto.

"It laid the foundation upon which towns emerged, grew, and evolved into thriving urban centres and cities. By catalyzing trade and unlocking economic potential, the railway determined which centres flourished into vibrant metropolises, becoming lifelines of commerce and connectivity across East Africa."

The Kenyan leader spoke of their confidence that the modern SGR "will replicate and surpass that legacy by igniting new growth corridors".

The SGR, built from 2013 to 2019, connects the Kenyan port of Mombasa to its capital Nairobi, and on to the lake town of Naivasha.

Ruto broke ground on the next phase in Narok County on Thursday, arguing that it will "catalyse regional economic growth, and firmly position Kenya as a leading transport and logistics hub in eastern and central Africa", while creating jobs and reducing road congestion.

"We have thought through this project (and)... its finance," he said.

The SGR is expected to reach in Kisumu by June 2027, according to the ambitious building schedule. The next phase will then take the line to Malaba, a town on the border.

Treasury estimates say the overall cost will be more than Ksh500b ($3.9b), according to Kenya's Business Daily.

Pictures from Saturday's launch 👇🏽