Kenyan President William Ruto has announced plans to extend the country's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line into Tanzania. The extension is part of a bid to boost economic activities between the two East African countries. Ruto revealed that his administration has set aside 5 billion Kenyan shillings, equivalent to $39 million, for the planned SGR rail extension to Tanzania. The project aims to link Voi and Tanzania, with stations planned in Mwatate, Bura, Mwakitau, and Taveta, before extending into Holili on the Tanzanian side of the border.
The extension of the SGR line from Naivasha to Kisumu and the Malaba border is currently underway. Once completed, residents of Moshi, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, will be able to travel to Nairobi and Mombasa by high-speed train. The project will also enable the transportation of cargo, promoting economic growth in the region. Ruto emphasized that the development of Taita Taveta is crucial, and his government is committed to initiating more development projects in the area.
The Kenya Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is a partially finished railway system connecting the country's cities. The first section, measuring 609 kilometers, links the Port of Mombasa along the Indian Ocean Coastline with Nairobi City. The SGR line was built during the Jubilee administration, where Ruto served as deputy president. The line opened passenger rail service in June 2017 and freight rail service in January 2018.
Kenya and Tanzania have plans to connect their standard gauge railway (SGR) networks through Uganda to other East African countries like Rwanda and Burundi. Tanzania has its first Standard Gauge Railway line section connecting Dar-es-salaam Port with Dodoma City via Morogoro, with plans to stretch the SGR to Mwanza, Kigoma, and eventually Burundi and DR Congo. Dodoma is building an envisaged 2,800 kilometers Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) at an estimated cost of $7 billion.
The Tanzanian SGR line will deploy electric locomotives capable of speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour to connect the Port of Dar es Salaam with the interior and neighboring landlocked economies. Once completed, the SGR line will play a crucial role in promoting economic growth and regional integration in East Africa. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the economies of both Kenya and Tanzania.
During the announcement, Ruto also promised to give title deeds to residents of Taita Taveta in the coming week. The Kenyan government is committed to promoting development in the region, and the extension of the SGR line is part of this effort. The project is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region.
The extension of the SGR line into Tanzania is a significant step towards regional integration in East Africa. The project will promote economic growth, create jobs, and enhance transportation links between Kenya and Tanzania. Key aspects of the project include the extension of the SGR line from Naivasha to Kisumu and the Malaba border, with a budget of $39 million, and the connection of the SGR networks of Kenya and Tanzania through Uganda to other East African countries.
Key points
- Kenya plans to extend its Standard Gauge Railway line into Tanzania with a budget of $39 million.
- The extension of the SGR line aims to boost economic activities between Kenya and Tanzania.
- The project will promote regional integration and economic growth in East Africa.
