Irungu Nyakera: SGR extension to Uganda not a priority amid economic pressures
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, March 25, 2026Former Principal Secretary for Planning and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Nairobi patron Irungu Nyakera, has strongly opposed the government’s plan to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Uganda, terming it a misplaced priority that could be deferred to a subsequent date.
Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, March 24, 2026, Nyakera criticised the decision to allocate approximately Ksh170 billion to the regional railway project, arguing that the amount is too large to commit at a time when the country is grappling with pressing socio-economic challenges.
He maintained that while infrastructure development is vital, it must be carefully aligned with the country’s most urgent needs.
“When I talk about the Kisumu-Malaba railway stretch not being funded today, it does not mean that it cannot be funded in the future, and even if you fund it, there will be a visible return to us as an economy today, and in the short term, it’s really about how we spend our money,” Nyakera said.
The SGR extension to Uganda is part of a broader regional integration strategy aimed toward enhancing trade and strengthening Kenya’s position as a transport and logistics hub in East Africa.
Supporters of the project argue that it will improve cargo movement efficiency and stimulate long-term economic growth. However, Nyakera insists that these projected benefits do not justify the current timing of the investment.
Launch of Narok-Kisumu-Malaba SGR
In a historic milestone for East African transport, President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart, President Yoweri Museveni, have officially launched the Narok-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Kibos SGR site in Kisumu on Saturday, March 21, 2026, marking the beginning of the next phase in Kenya’s ambitious railway expansion programme.
The 369-kilometre railway line, which will extend from Naivasha through Narok and Kisumu to Malaba on the Kenya-Uganda border, is valued at Ksh500 billion and is poised to become a key segment of the regional transport corridor.
The project aims to enhance trade, streamline freight movement, and boost passenger travel across East Africa, connecting the western Kenyan region directly to the Port of Mombasa.
The Narok-Kisumu-Malaba SGR project is part of Kenya’s broader vision to modernise its railway network, complement the Mombasa-Nairobi-Naivasha SGR line, and position East Africa as a competitive trade and transport hub.