On Wednesday evening, President William Ruto met with Song Hailiang at State House Nairobi, highlighting Kenya’s commitment to upgrading its transport infrastructure.
The meeting took place ahead of the official launch of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension from Narok to Kisumu and onwards to Malaba, scheduled for Thursday and Saturday.
The extended SGR line is set to strengthen Kenya’s role as a regional trade and logistics hub. By connecting Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Port of Mombasa, the railway will enhance trade links across East and Central Africa.
President Ruto noted that the project will unlock economic opportunities in Western Kenya, fostering industrial growth, expanding agriculture, and boosting tourism along the corridor.
Besides facilitating trade, the railway is expected to reduce road congestion by shifting bulk cargo from highways to rail, cutting transport costs, saving time, and improving road safety.
It will also create new business and investment opportunities for local communities along the route.
Other officials present at the meeting included Chen Zhong and Du Fei. Discussions centered on operational preparedness and strategies to ensure the timely completion of the SGR extension.
Stakeholders are optimistic that the SGR extension launch will strengthen regional integration and economic growth, marking a significant step toward Kenya’s goal of becoming a major transport and logistics hub in East Africa.
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