The construction of the long-awaited Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension will commence in July 2026. Kenya Railways confirmed that preparations for the multi-billion-shilling project are now in the final stages.
The State corporation made an announcement that it had intensified activities ahead of the start of works. These activities include public engagements with affected landowners. Also, it includes inspections of properties earmarked for acquisition along the project corridor.
Public Sensitisation
Additionally, in Kisumu County, Kenya Railways held a public sensitisation meeting on June 24 for landowners affected by the proposed Kibos Terminus. The terminus is one of the key facilities planned under the SGR extension project.
The meeting brought together property owners from Kisumu Town East Sub-county whose parcels were listed in Gazette Notice No. 4986 published on April 2, 2026, paving the way for compulsory acquisition.
Kibos Terminus Design Unveiled
During the engagement, officials presented the proposed design of the Kibos Terminus. Also, they outlined the areas that will be affected once construction starts.
Representatives from the National Land Commission (NLC) also took residents through the legal procedures governing compulsory land acquisition. Also, they took them through the valuation and compensation under the Land Act, 2012.
The commission further informed affected property owners that inspections of gazetted parcels would start on June 25. This will be part of the compensation process ahead of the project’s rollout.
Separately, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga led a high-level delegation to Narok County. At the delegation, officials conducted a site inspection of the proposed railway corridor. Furthermore, they reviewed the readiness for the commencement of works.
Project Advances Towards Implementation Stage
Confirming the timeline, Kenya Railways stated that the project had advanced to the implementation stage. This comes after it completed route planning and validation exercises that informed the final design of the railway.
“The Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project has reached a significant milestone, with Kenya Railways progressing preparations for the commencement of construction works following the successful completion of the Route Planning and Validation Exercise,” the corporation said.
The railway extension forms part of the government’s wider plan to connect Naivasha to Kisumu and onwards to Malabaenhancing cargo movement, regional trade and transport efficiency along the Northern Corridor while creating thousands of jobs during construction.
Contractors
The commencement of works comes months after the government awarded the estimated Ksh700 billion contract to Chinese firms China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
It also follows a recent Court of Appeal ruling directing the government to make public documents relating to the original SGR project after judges found that withholding information on the taxpayer-funded railway was unconstitutional.
Lastly, this project showcases Kenya’s efforts to enhance regional connectivity and integration. This SGR is part of a bigger project where East African countries seek to connect via an SGR network. Also, in efforts to enhance regional integration, Kenya seeks to build a railway corridor to its neighboring country Ethiopia.
Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway Project Factsheet
Project Name: Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Extension
Phases: Phase 2B (Naivasha to Kisumu) & Phase 2C (Kisumu to Malaba)
Implementing Agencies: Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) in collaboration with the National Land Commission (NLC)
Lead Contractors: China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) / China Communications Construction Company (CCCC)
Estimated Cost: Approximately Ksh. 500-700 Billion ($3.9 Billion-$5.4 Billion)
Target Completion: Scheduled for Mid-2027
Total Extension Length: 371 km of mainline track (spanning 475 km across the entire western network ecosystem).
Phase 2B (Naivasha–Kisumu): 264 km (starting from Emurtoto in Narok County) and an 8.69 km branch line linking to the new Kisumu Port. Phase 2C (Kisumu–Malaba): 107 km linking to the Ugandan border.
Counties Traversed (9): Narok, Bomet, Nyamira, Kericho, Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, Kakamega, and Busia.
Design Speed: 120 km/h (passenger services), 80 km/h (cargo/freight trains)
Haulage Capacity: 1,096 passengers per trip, 4,000 tonnes (216 TEUs) per train
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