in Kisumu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n President\u00a0Yoweri \u00a0Museveni and his Kenyan \u00a0counterpart,William Ruto,\u00a0have jointly overseen the launch of Phase 2C of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project is a key infrastructure expected to strengthen regional connectivity and trade within East Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project, which will run from Kisumu to Malaba, officially commenced at Kibos in Kisumu County on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in Kenya\u2019s plan to extend the railway to the border and eventually link it with Uganda\u2019s rail network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaders, stakeholders, and the public gathered at the launch site to witness the symbolic tightening of bolts and nuts by the two leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The move signals the start of construction works for the long-anticipated infrastructural project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ceremony underscored the importance of regional cooperation in advancing transport and economic development across East Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Members of the Ugandan delegation included officials from the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi such as Ambassador Unice Kigyenyi, Charge d\u2019Affaires, Doreen Ruyondo, Minister Counsellor, Brig. Gen. MacDans Kamugira, Defence Attach\u00e9, and Elias Kassirabo, Police Attach\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Museveni held a closed-door meeting with President Ruto where the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional trade, and infrastructure development between Uganda and Kenya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two Presidents later jointly launched the project and symbolically tightened a bolt on the railway line to mark the commencement of construction works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Museveni congratulated President Ruto and the people of Kenya upon what he described as a significant milestone in regional infrastructure development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a very important function of launching the Naivasha\u2013Kisumu to Malaba Standard Gauge Railway,\u201d President Museveni said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Museveni explained that the railway forms part of a broader plan to rationalise the transport system within the region, particularly in Uganda where he noted that over-reliance on road transport increases costs and inefficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe railway is part of the rationalisation of our transport system, especially on the Ugandan side which is irrational and wasteful because passengers, light cargo, heavy cargo and petroleum products are all concentrated on the roads,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He explained that Uganda\u2019s long-term plan is to transfer heavy cargo to the railway, petroleum products to pipelines and water transport, while reserving roads mainly for passengers and light cargo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The President noted that this approach will reduce road congestion and improve the competitiveness of regional economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Museveni emphasised that Africa must focus on producing high-quality but affordable goods to remain competitive globally. He identified high transport costs, expensive electricity, and the high cost of financing as key challenges affecting business competitiveness. \u201cIf Africa does not address these cost pushers, we shall be outpriced and our goods will not be competitive even within Africa,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Ruto commended President Museveni for his commitment to regional integration and his long-standing advocacy for East African unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He noted that the Standard Gauge Railway from Suswa through Kisumu to Malaba will unlock Kenya\u2019s economic potential and benefit the entire East African region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kisumu\u2013Malaba SGR line is expected to serve as a gateway to opportunity for the Western Corridor, the Lake Region, and the broader East African Community by enhancing the movement of goods and passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once complete, the railway is anticipated to ease cargo transport from the port of Mombasa to Uganda and other landlocked countries, reduce transportation costs, and boost trade and industrial growth along the corridor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The launch comes just hours after President Ruto held a meeting with leaders and professionals from the Nyanza region at State Lodge in Kisumu, where he briefed them on the progress of government development initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The engagement formed part of preparations for his four-day development tour of the region aimed at accelerating infrastructure, economic, and social projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When complete, the President had earlier on Thursday said it will establish a continuous railway artery of nearly 1,000km from Mombasa to Malaba, a corridor that will not only move goods but also secure Kenya\u2019s place at the centre of Africa\u2019s continental trade<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy extending this railway to Kisumu and ultimately to Malaba, we are consolidating Kenya\u2019s role as the logistical backbone of East and Central Africa,\u201d the President said in Narok on Thursday at Emurtoto village, Narok County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The head of state added the project is set to complete a national vision; a vision to connect Kenya more efficiently, to lower the cost of doing business and to firmly position the country at the centre of trade in the Great Lakes region and across the African continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He described the 262.3km Narok-Kisumu section, Phase 2B of SGR network, not just an extension, but a strategic economic intervention for the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This corridor holds immense economic potential, Ruto said, adding that western Kenya produces tea, maize, sugar and rice, supports a vibrant fisheries sector in the Lake Victoria region, and supplies critical inputs for agro-processing and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Our Team in Kisumu President\u00a0Yoweri \u00a0Museveni and his Kenyan \u00a0counterpart,William Ruto,\u00a0have jointly overseen the launch of Phase 2C of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16736,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Launch-of-the-Kisumu-Malaba-SGR-Phase-ii-Kisumu-Kenya-21-Mar-2026-2-1536x1024-1.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15358,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/kenya-and-uganda-target-simultaneous-completion-of-standard-gauge-railway-projects\/","url_meta":{"origin":16735,"position":0},"title":"Kenya and Uganda Target Simultaneous Completion of Standard Gauge Railway Projects","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"September 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"After years of delays and failed negotiations with Chinese financiers, Uganda and Kenya are moving forward with a renewed commitment to complete their standard gauge railway (SGR) projects at the same time. Leaders from both countries say the joint effort will finally secure a reliable transport corridor connecting Uganda to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ken.jpg","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15828,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/kenya-and-uganda-in-high-level-talks-for-193-km-multinational-expressway\/","url_meta":{"origin":16735,"position":1},"title":"Kenya and Uganda in High-Level Talks for 193 KM Multinational Expressway","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"October 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By\u00a0Annah Nanjala Wekesa The East African Community (EAC), officials from the governments of Kenya and Uganda, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have met to discuss funding for a 193-kilometer multinational expressway linking the two countries. Officials are engaging in a two-day Market Sounding Conference in Kampala, Uganda, which began\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/way-2-1.png","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/way-2-1.png 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/way-2-1.png 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/way-2-1.png 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13015,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/uganda-in-race-to-catch-up-with-eac-member-states-by-constructing-an-electric-standard-gauge-railway-line-from-tororo-to-kampala-at-euros-2-7-bn\/","url_meta":{"origin":16735,"position":2},"title":"Uganda in Race To Catch- Up With EAC Member States By Constructing An Electric \u00a0Standard Gauge Railway Line From Tororo To Kampala At Euros 2.7 Bn","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"October 16, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Uganda\u00a0 is determined to catch \u2013up with its EAC neigbours by constructing a modern electric Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line from Tororo to the capital Kampala. This follows the signing of an agreement with a Turkish construction firm M\/S Yapi Merkezi Yapi who have a joint venture with YM Global\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/download-4.jpg","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16661,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/from-arusha-to-the-railway-tracks-musevenis-challenge-as-eac-new-chairman\/","url_meta":{"origin":16735,"position":3},"title":"From Arusha To The Railway Tracks: Museveni\u2019s Challenge As EAC New Chairman","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"March 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Carolyne Muyama When President Yoweri Museveni assumed the chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC) from Kenya\u2019s President William Ruto in Arusha on March 7, 2026, many described the transition as a shift from a rapid-strategic-approach to an institutional discipline. For many across the region, it was a moment\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carolyne-Muyama-Magshot.png","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carolyne-Muyama-Magshot.png 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carolyne-Muyama-Magshot.png 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carolyne-Muyama-Magshot.png 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Carolyne-Muyama-Magshot.png 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6744,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/eacop-project-will-spur-socio-economic-growth-end-energy-challenges-amb-amoru\/","url_meta":{"origin":16735,"position":4},"title":"EACOP project will spur socio-economic growth, end energy challenges- Amb Amoru","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"September 26, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Johannesburg\u00a0\u2013 Uganda\u2019s High Commissioner to South Africa Paul Amoru has said the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project will provide a solution to the energy poverty while driving socioeconomic growth through the empowerment of local communities. He was making a presentation at the \u201cConnecting Africa\u201d summit held in Johannesburg\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Africa Continental News"","block_context":{"text":"Africa Continental News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/africa-continental-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pau.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pau.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pau.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pau.jpg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6550,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/supreme-court-confirm-william-ruto-kenya-president-elect\/","url_meta":{"origin":16735,"position":5},"title":"Supreme Court confirm William Ruto Kenya President-elect","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"September 5, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Kenya's Supreme Court has ruled that William Ruto was properly elected president, dismissing several petitions seeking to annul the result of the 9 August election. His rival, Raila Odinga, and others had alleged there had been massive fraud. But in a scathing ruling, the judges said some of the petitioners\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Elections"","block_context":{"text":"Elections","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/elections\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/nbi.webp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/nbi.webp 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/nbi.webp 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/nbi.webp 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pc0aOV-4lV","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16735"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16740,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16735\/revisions\/16740"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0f9e7154-56ea-4a35-b4d0-0f23754e480a-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rut-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rut3-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n