Kenya and Uganda have taken a significant step toward regional integration with the launch of a new phase of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), aimed at eventually linking the region to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Speaking at the launch in Kibos, President William Ruto announced the start of construction on the 107-kilometre Kisumu–Malaba section.
“Today, here at Kibos in Kisumu, we take yet another decisive and consequential step,” Ruto said. “We break ground on the Kisumu–Malaba section, completing nearly one thousand kilometres of seamless rail link from Mombasa to Malaba and forming a vital connection to the Malaba–Kampala line.”
The Chinese-funded extension is expected to reach the Ugandan border by June next year. Officials say the project will help reduce road pressure, lower transport costs, cut accidents, and boost cross-border trade.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said the railway would play a key role in shifting heavy cargo away from road transport.
“Our plan is to transfer all heavy cargo to the railway… all heavy luggage is to be moved from the road to the train,” Museveni said, adding that petroleum products would also be redirected to pipelines.
The SGR currently connects Mombasa to Nairobi. However, delays in extending the line toward Uganda have left Kenya carrying significant debt to China, which has reportedly declined to provide further financing until the cross-border link is completed.
Africa News