Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, on Friday, May 26, detailed that Kenya and Uganda had renewed their commitment to extend the Standard Guage Railway (SGR).
During a meeting with his East African Community (EAC) counterparts in Kampala, the CS indicated that extending the railway line to Uganda would be fast-tracked with plans to construct a route to Rwanda in the pipeline.
The Kenya line is expected to start from the Naivasha - Kisumu - Malaba border.
Murkomen added that the Uganda and Rwanda governments would then extend it through the Kigali - Tororo- Gulu- Nimule line.
"Together, we agreed that constructing the SGR as a regional project is critical in promoting seamless transport and deepening regional integration.
"We agreed that connecting sections of the Naivasha- Malaba and Malaba - Kampala SGR sections will have to be fast-tracked while the feasibility studies of the Kigali and Tororo - Gulu - Nimule sections will be expedited," read the statement in part.
The CS also asserted that the project would benefit all the countries involved by boosting trade.
"Its realization will not only promote trade and investment but also transform the region into a global transport hub," he added.
To this effect, the team signed an agreement to be presented to the respective Heads of State in the coming days. However, the timelines for completing the SGR extensions were not revealed.
Ernest Nsambimana of Rwanda, Simon Mijak of South Sudan, and Fred Byamuka of Uganda were at the meeting.
The construction of the SGR began in 2014 during the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. It was launched in May 2017.
However, due to financial constraints, the mega infrastructural project planned to reach Uganda ended in Naivasha. The Uhuru administration opted to have the project linked with the old Meter Gauge Railway (MGR), which was revamped.
Notably, after taking office, President William Ruto intimated plans to extend the key project as had earlier been intended.
