The Kenyan government has announced plans to extend the second phase of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Kisumu port and Malaba, a move aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and enhancing trade across Africa.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei made the announcement during a tour of the SGR facility in Nairobi with a delegation of African ambassadors. He emphasized the collaborative efforts between the National Treasury and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to secure the necessary financing for this critical phase of the project.
This extension comes as the nation prepares for the upcoming China-Africa Cooperation summit, slated for September 3. Sing’Oei underscored the importance of infrastructure in driving development, stating, “Connectivity is essential for development; it unlocks the potential of our continent and fuels investment.”
The second phase of the SGR will be carried out under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, reaffirming the ongoing commitment to infrastructure development across Africa. Sing’Oei pointed out the pivotal role of integrated road and rail networks in fostering intercontinental trade and uniting the African market.
The SGR project is a key component of the broader Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, which seeks to establish vital trade routes between Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan. The railway line in Kenya will stretch from Mariakani in Mombasa County, passing through Lamu Port, and extending to Isiolo. It will also link up with Moyale in northern Kenya, near the Ethiopian border.
Phase one of the SGR, completed at a cost of KSh 656 billion, stands as Kenya’s most expensive infrastructure project to date. The upcoming extension to Kisumu port and Malaba is expected to further solidify Kenya’s position as a major regional transport hub and drive economic growth throughout the East African region.