President William Ruto has set an April 2027 deadline for completing the Voi-Mwatate-Taveta road link, outlining plans to strengthen Kenya-Tanzania connectivity and expand regional trade within the East African Community (EAC).

Speaking at the Kenya-Tanzania Business Forum held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre on May 4, 2026, Ruto revealed that the road link would be up by April 2027.

“By April next year, we will have connected Voi-Mwatate-Taveta, and I have the confirmation of my sister that you will complete the line to Taveta from the Tanzanian side ahead of time,” Ruto announced.

Regional corridor expansion plans

Ruto said the government is working with Tanzanian authorities to extend the transport corridor to Singida, linking Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Burundi.

“That will unlock the full potential of the East African community connecting Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and beyond,” he said.

The proposal is expected to create a continuous transport network connecting Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi, enhancing cross-border movement of goods and passengers.

Railway revival and logistics hub

The announcement follows the launch of the reconstruction of the Voi-Mwatate Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) on April 10, 2026, in Mariwenyi, Taita-Taveta County. The Ksh5.5 billion project revives a line that had been inactive for nearly two decades.

Once completed, the railway, together with a planned dry port in Voi, will link the Port of Mombasa to the Taveta/Holili One-Stop Border Post, positioning Voi as a logistics centre.

The corridor is expected to reconnect the Mombasa-Voi-Taveta-Moshi-Arusha-Singida-Bujumbura route and reduce the distance between Mombasa and Bujumbura by 358 kilometres, easing the movement of goods across the region.

During the same meeting, President William Ruto clarified his earlier remarks on the proposed multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in Tanga, Tanzania, emphasising regional cooperation and shared benefits.

He acknowledged concerns raised by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan over the initial announcement and said the project should be viewed as a shared regional investment.

Ruto noted that the refinery presents an opportunity for industrialisation across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan, while also calling for a shift from exporting raw materials to local processing. He said the region must retain value, jobs, and opportunities through joint infrastructure and coordinated use of resources.

Road infrastructure projects in Taita Taveta

Several road projects are ongoing in Taita-Taveta County to support the transport network. These include the Mto Mwagodi-Dawida-Mbale-Wundanyi-Bura Junction road, the Illasit-Rombo-Njukini-Taveta road, the Cess-Lake Jipe road, and the Maungu-Kasigau and Voi-Sagalla roads.

Ruto inspected progress on the projects during his development tour, alongside other initiatives launched on April 10, including the construction of a 10,000-capacity Voi Stadium and a modern market in Voi town with cold storage facilities.

The projects are aimed at improving connectivity, supporting trade, and facilitating the movement of agricultural produce such as sisal and maize across Kenya and neighbouring countries.