On March 21, 2026, in Kisumu, Kenya, Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni launched the Kisumu–Malaba railway corridor, a strategic project worth USD 3.9 billion. This 369 km line aims to reduce transport times, facilitate regional trade, and strengthen integration between Kenya, Uganda, and the countries of the Great Lakes region. The ceremony brought together leaders, officials, and citizens, and marked the official start of construction with the symbolic tightening of the first bolts.
A new milestone in regional integration in East Africa was reached on March 21, 2026, in Kisumu, Kenya. Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni officially launched the standard gauge railway connecting Kisumu to Malaba. This project, with an estimated cost of 500 billion Kenyan shillings (USD 3.9 billion), is part of a strategy to strengthen trade between Kenya, Uganda, and several landlocked countries in East Africa.
“Two days ago, we broke ground for the extension of the SGR from Narok to Kisumu, a distance of 264 kilometres that forms phase 2B of this railway network. That line will connect our industrial corridor in Nairobi to the agricultural heartlands of Narok, Bomet, Kericho and Nyamira and ultimately to Kisumu. Today, here at Kibos in Kisumu, we take yet another decisive and consequential step.”
William Ruto, President of the Republic – Kenya
Stretching several hundred kilometers, this railway corridor will connect the port of Mombasa to the interior of the continent, significantly reducing transport times, currently estimated at over 80 hours to Malaba and 100 hours to Kampala. Beyond transportation, the project aims to support key sectors such as agriculture, fishing around Lake Victoria, and regional industry. It also seeks to reduce dependence on road transport, which is responsible for congestion and high costs.
“The railway is part of the rationalisation of our transport system, especially on the Uganda side, which is irrational and wasteful. Why? Because the items being transported are concentrated on the road, i.e. passengers, light cargo, heavy cargo, petroleum products, are all on the roads. So, the transport now is Akatogo, on the roads.”
Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic – Uganda
Aiming to modernize infrastructure and facilitate trade, this railway project, launched in Kisumu, represents a key step toward economic integration in East Africa. Despite challenges related to costs and logistics, this line could ultimately stimulate growth and strengthen the continent’s competitiveness.
