The government has stated that it is considering forming a collaboration with the Chinese government to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Mai Mahiu to Malaba.
The multibillion-dollar railway line would run through Narok, Bomet, Nyamira, Kisumu, and finally Malaba, according to the proposed five-year plan.
“In the long run, we would like to complete the connection of the SGR from Suswa to Kisumu through Bomet, Nyamira, parts of Kisii and later to Malaba. Later, we can think of upgrading the existing MGR via Nakuru to Kisumu and via Eldoret to Malaba,” Murkomen said in a statement.
This came as the government stated that it was eager to upgrade the country’s railways because they had proven to be more cost-effective and secure for goods transportation.
Kipchumba Murkomen, the CS for Transport, stated that the government is eager to develop the Naivasha Inland Container Depot to handle goods bound for various destinations in the country and region.
Murkomen was speaking at the commissioning of the Rail Mounted Gantry cranes, which will make it easier to load and unload containers from trailers to SGR and MGR trains and from trains to trailers.
“We are also keen to utilise rail transport which is fast, safe, and cheaper to enhance transportation of goods and people. We will also be working to restore passenger trains along the old MGR routes,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen stated that the government will increase the number of wagons and coaches, which will increase passenger transportation capacity, in addition to the old wagons and coaches that are currently being renovated at our Nairobi workshops.
He went on to say that the state was looking for investors to help build and operate a new railway line that would connect Lamu with Moyale via Garissa and South Sudan via Turkana.
“These plans will make Kenya a very competitive country and enhance ease of doing business,” he added.
To accommodate the increased demand caused by the holiday season and relieve pressure on our roads, the CS added that he had given Kenya Railways permission to run more trains to Kisumu from December 21, 2022, to January 3, 2023.
