President William Ruto has officially launched the construction of the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Suswa, Narok County.

• The ambitious project, being implemented by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), aims to connect Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• 701 kilometres is the total length of the new SGR extension, which is divided into two phases: Naivasha–Kisumu (approx. 264 km) and Kisumu–Malaba (approx. 107 km).
• President Ruto described the SGR extension as a "transformative undertaking" that will "reshape the country’s economic landscape" and position Kenya as the "gateway to the region."

Construction of the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension has officially commenced after a groundbreaking ceremony in Suswa, Narok County.

• The significant infrastructure project was launched on March 19, 2026.
• The construction will be undertaken by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).
• This marks a major step in Kenya's development, with President William Ruto presiding over the launch.

President William Ruto has launched the construction of the Naivasha-Kisumu Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension, a project set to significantly cut transport costs and boost regional trade.

• The 262.3-kilometre Phase 2B line will connect the Nairobi industrial corridor to key agricultural zones and the port city of Kisumu.
• President Ruto emphasized that reaching Kisumu is critical to completing the SGR network and unlocking Western Kenya's economic potential.
• This extension, along with the planned Kisumu-Malaba section, aims to create a nearly 1,000km continuous railway from Mombasa to the Uganda border, solidifying Kenya as a continental trade hub.