President William Ruto has set the construction of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway in motion after breaking ground at the Narok Training Teachers College Grounds.
The 475 km railway network is expected to extend from Naivasha through Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Nyamira, Kisumu and the Malaba border.
The President said the SGR extension would enhance trade with East African countries.
"The SGR extension will position Kenya as the regional trade and logistics hub, linking Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Port of Mombasa while unlocking the economic potential of western Kenya," he said.
Ruto had met with the chairman of the China Communications Construction Company, Song Hailiang on Wednesday at State House to deliberate on the launching of the railway extension.
He projected that the SGR would reduce traffic congestion in the region and improve highway safety.
"It will ease road congestion by shifting bulk cargo to rail, cutting costs, saving time, and improving safety across our highways," Ruto said.
During the launch of the SGR extension on Thursday, Ruto said the demand for efficient transport is rising rapidly, describing the extension as a strategic economic intervention.
"This stretch of the railway line will connect our industrial corridor in Nairobi to the agricultural heartland of Narok and ultimately the commercial gateway of Kisumu county."
The President the SGR extension would unlock the potential of the western Kenya corridor, which is a crucial agricultural hub.
"It lowers the cost of transport across our economy. Every reduction in logistics costs translates into lower food prices, more affordable construction and greater industrial competitiveness," he said.
Ruto said the government transformed the SGR into a two-way economic centre by facilitating imports and exports.
He also said the SGR extension would create jobs and enterprise opportunities during the construction, logistics and manufacturing.
