Kenyan President William Ruto has revealed plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha into Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This ambitious project aims to strengthen economic ties and enhance connectivity across East Africa.
At the opening of the 14th East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games in Mombasa, Ruto emphasized the importance of seamless transportation for economic integration.
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The extension will link Mombasa to DRC, creating a vital trade corridor and opening new tourism and regional commerce opportunities.
Ruto commended Kenyan lawmakers for opting to travel to Mombasa for the event using the SGR, which significantly cut costs. He noted that the SGR trip saved taxpayers over Ksh.6.5 million compared to business-class air travel.
The SGR expansion will kick off with Uganda constructing the Malaba-Kampala section in January, which is expected to be completed in 48 months. This 272-kilometer railway line will drastically reduce cargo transit times between the two nations, slashing delivery durations from 14 days to 24 hours.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni expressed optimism about the project, emphasizing its transformative impact on trade efficiency. Meanwhile, Kenya is poised to work on the Naivasha-Malaba section to ensure seamless train movement from Mombasa to Kampala.
Ruto also highlighted the broader vision of the project, extending to Rwanda and DRC, as a step toward creating a fully interconnected East Africa. This move is expected to boost regional trade and simplify travel for goods and passengers, marking a new chapter in East African development.
