President William Ruto, alongside President Yoweri Museveni, have presided over the groundbreaking of the Kisumu to Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a major infrastructure project expected to transform Kenya’s transport system and strengthen regional trade.
The railway will link Kisumu to Malaba at the Kenya and Uganda border, improving the movement of goods within Kenya and into Uganda and the wider East African region.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Ruto described the project as a key step toward shifting bulk cargo from roads to rail and pipelines. This move is expected to reduce transport costs, ease congestion, and protect road infrastructure from heavy truck damage.
Leaders emphasized that rail transport offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for moving large volumes of goods across borders.
Both President Ruto and President Museveni highlighted the railway’s importance in strengthening ties between Kenya and Uganda. Malaba, one of the busiest border points in the region, is expected to benefit from faster and more reliable cargo movement.
The project will enhance the Northern Corridor, linking the Port of Mombasa to landlocked countries and reinforcing East Africa’s trade network.
The railway is expected to create jobs, attract investment, and support economic growth in the region. However, its success will depend on effective implementation and strong cooperation between partner states.
Once completed, the Kisumu to Malaba SGR is set to play a key role in building a modern, integrated transport system across East Africa.
