Kenya Launches Historic SGR Extension from Naivasha to Malaba
By Doreen Spenser/Writer
President William Ruto has today inaugurated the long-awaited Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension, stretching from Naivasha through Kisumu to Malaba, marking a transformative milestone in Kenya’s transport and trade infrastructure.
This ambitious expansion is set to redefine travel and commerce in the region:
Passenger Services: Trains are designed to travel at 120 km/h with 1,096 seats, turning what was once an overnight journey between Kisumu and Nairobi into a convenient same-day trip.
Freight Capacity: Each freight train can haul 4,000 tonnes (approximately 216 TEUs) at 80 km/h, translating to a corridor throughput of 22 million tonnes per year. This is expected to lower freight tariffs, speed up delivery of tea and sugar, and enable timely cold-chain exports, such as fish from Kisumu Port to Mombasa.
Seamless Cross-Border Operations: With uniform SGR standards, trains will operate across borders without bogie changes at Malaba, facilitating faster regional trade.
President Ruto described the project as a “game-changer for Kenya and East Africa,” emphasizing its potential to boost economic growth, create jobs, and enhance regional connectivity.
“The SGR is not just rails and wagons—it is the artery that will carry Kenya’s trade, industry, and people into a new era,” he said.
With this launch, Kenya cements its position as a regional transport hub and sets a new benchmark in visionary infrastructure development.
