Ruto: SGR Extension Will Transform Kenya into Regional Trade Hub

 President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to expanding its railway network, saying the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) will position the country as a key trade and logistics hub in East and Central Africa.

The President spoke at State House, Nairobi, after meeting with Song Hailiang, chairman of China Communications Construction Company, ahead of the planned launch of the SGR extension from Narok to Kisumu on Thursday and onward to Malaba on Saturday.

Also present at the meeting were Chen Zhong and Du Fei.

President Ruto said the railway expansion project will significantly enhance regional connectivity by linking landlocked countries—including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—to the Port of Mombasa.

“The SGR extension will unlock the economic potential of Western Kenya while strengthening our position as the region’s logistics and trade gateway,” said the President.

He added that the project will also ease pressure on the country’s road network by shifting bulk cargo transport from highways to rail, thereby reducing congestion, cutting transport costs, and improving safety.

The SGR expansion is expected to boost trade efficiency, reduce transit times, and enhance regional integration, aligning with Kenya’s broader infrastructure development agenda.

Once complete, the extended railway line will connect key economic zones and facilitate smoother movement of goods across borders, reinforcing Kenya’s role as a critical corridor for regional commerce.