The construction of the Kisumu-Malaba SGR project is taking shape as the government hopes to implement it in the second half of the year. This follows the completion of route mapping as well as land acquisition. The implementation of the project is expected to cost ksh.581 million, stretching from Naivasha to Malaba. Once completed, the 369-kilometer line is designed to improve the viability of the railway by linking it to Uganda.
It will also link other nations across the East African region such as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most of the countries are also developing their sections of the railway, with Kenya making commendable advancements. Completion of route mapping and land acquisition moves the project closer towards implementation. “The current program we have is a 2B 2C which will kick off in the second half of the year, “ noted Abdi Bare, Chair of Kenya Railways.
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The Scope of Implementation of the Kisumu-Malaba SGR Project
The scope of implementation of the Kisumu-Malaba SGR project is expected to roll out once various phases are complete. Kenya Railway’s managing director Philip Mainga noted that they have already completed various aspects needed. “We have identified the route, we have also identified the people to be compensated for that route,” he said. Moreover, he noted that the environmental impact assessment is nearing completion and will be done by the end of the month. Financial institutions were proposed to fund 30% of the project. The Kenyan government will raise 30% and then consortium do the remaining 40%.
Despite this, the corporation looks to develop new funding models. “We also have the lapset, where the road has already been done so working on looking for a financier for a PPP project that can be able to leave from Lamu port to Ethiopia and southern Sudan,” Bare added. They were speaking at the eighth anniversary celebrations of Madaraka Express operations, which to date, has varied over a 15.3 million passengers and 39.7 million tons of cargo. Most Kenyans are hopeful the project will fill the gaps that remain in the transport sector. This also includes the Malaba route and the ambitious Ethiopian route.
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