The Kenyan government has earmarked Ksh 25 billion to compensate landowners affected by the construction of the Narok-Bomet-Kisumu phase 2B of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway project. This allocation was announced by Kenya Railways Corporation Managing Director Philip Mainga. The National Land Commission is currently conducting public participation sessions in preparation for the compensation process.
The National Land Commission has granted Kenya Railways early access to certain sections of land, allowing construction to proceed while negotiations and valuations with affected landowners continue. Affected landowners have expressed their willingness to participate in the public participation process, aiming to ensure smooth compensation negotiations. This collaborative approach is expected to facilitate the project's progress.
The construction of SGR phase 2B is gaining momentum, with Narok being one of the areas where work has commenced. The railway will span approximately 98 kilometers in Narok County, passing through Bomet, Nyamira, Kericho, Homa Bay, and Kisumu counties. Local communities, such as Kapkesosio village, have welcomed the project, recognizing its potential to connect Bomet County to the rest of Kenya, the East African region, and beyond.
The railway project is being developed as an SGR Economic Belt, incorporating logistics hubs and value-addition facilities along the corridor. The focus in Narok will be on agriculture, livestock, and tourism, while Bomet and Kericho will have logistics hubs primarily focused on tea. Kisumu is expected to host a logistics hub for fish, supporting storage and transportation to other markets.
The railway is anticipated to boost the movement of locally produced goods, including tea, coffee, and sugar, to the Port of Mombasa for export. As part of the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the project is expected to create jobs and support small businesses. This initiative aims to stimulate economic growth and development in the region.
Construction of the railway was officially launched by President William Ruto on March 19, 2026, with an estimated completion time of approximately two years. The Narok station is expected to be partially complete by June next year. The project's progress is being closely monitored, with stakeholders working together to ensure its successful completion.
The government's allocation of Ksh 25 billion for land compensation demonstrates its commitment to addressing the concerns of affected landowners and ensuring a smooth project implementation. With the National Land Commission's public participation sessions underway, the compensation process is expected to proceed efficiently. The project's impact on the region's economy and infrastructure is expected to be significant.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has allocated Ksh 25 billion to compensate landowners affected by the construction of the Narok-Bomet-Kisumu section of the Standard Gauge Railway project.
- The National Land Commission is conducting public participation sessions to facilitate the compensation process.
- The railway project is expected to create jobs, support small businesses, and stimulate economic growth in the region.
