Ruto in Dilemma as Museveni Orders SGR Extension to Kenyan Border

A Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train while in transit.
A Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train while in transit on June 18, 2021.
Photo
Kenya Railways

President William Ruto may be forced to revive the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line to link Kenya to Uganda.

This was after Uganda's President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni unveiled the plan to extend the SGR line linking the country's capital, Kampala, with the Kenyan Malaba border

"We’re going to build a brand new (SGR line) from Kampala to Kasese. Later on, we will (extend it) from Kampala to the border of Kenya and then to South Sudan," Museveni stated on Tuesday, December 6, in a meeting with private investors. 

Museveni argued that the line expansion was key to tackling transport challenges in the landlocked country.

President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.jpg
President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni during a meeting in Uganda in August 2022
Photo
Yoweri Museveni

"We want to lower the cost of transport and improve our competitiveness," Museveni insisted.

The decision will likely compel Ruto's administration to consider expanding the SGR line from Naivasha to the border to link with the Ugandan line.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, economist Professor XN Iraki lauded Museveni's decision to extend the SGR line. He stated Ruto may also be compelled to revive the Naivasha-Kisumu- Malaba SGR line.

"The decision by Museveni was a good one, it would probably put pressure on Kenya to expand its part. In fact, SGR should not be a Kenyan project, it should be an East African project," Iraki stated.

It was unclear whether Kenya has a financer for the project. However, Iraki proposed a joint bid by the two countries to secure funds to expand the railway line project.

"What the two governments should actually do is to come together and come up with a budget and expand that line to Uganda. Its extension will benefit other East African countries," Iraki insisted.

Defending his sentiments, the economist maintained that the SGR extension will benefit not only Kenya but Uganda, which is landlocked and depends on the Mombasa Port.

"When the Railway was built from Kenya to Uganda, it was called Uganda Railway. Although Kenya was in the equation, getting Uganda to the Coast was the most important thing because it was landlocked.

It was also supposed to serve South Sudan and Tanzania," Iraki told Kenyans.co.ke

Other economists and transport experts had opined that the Mombasa - Naivasha SGR line project would only be economically viable if connected to Kampala.

But Kenya failed to secure funding for the project stalling the SGR extension plan.

However, President Ruto has not yet issued a statement revealing the fate of the Naivasha-Kisumu- Malaba SGR line.

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train readies for takeoff.
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train readies for takeoff at the Nairobi terminus.
Photo: Kenya Railways