President William Ruto has announced plans to extend Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network to Tanzania, aiming to strengthen cross-border trade and open up new economic opportunities along the Coast region. The proposed connection will enable Kenya to link its transport network to Tanzania, fostering regional trade and economic growth. Ruto made the announcement during a church service in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County.
The Kenyan government has set aside approximately KSh5 billion for the planned railway link from Voi to Tanzania. The proposed railway will pass through several parts of Taita Taveta County, with stations planned for Mwatate, Bura, Mwakitau, and Taveta before the line crosses into Tanzania. This development is expected to benefit residents and businesses along the railway corridor, providing new opportunities for passenger and freight services.
The extension of the SGR network is part of Kenya's broader efforts to expand its railway system. The government has already commenced construction of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba railway, which aims to connect Kenya's transport network to Uganda and strengthen regional trade. The Naivasha-Kisumu section covers about 264 kilometres, while the Kisumu-Malaba section will extend for about 107 kilometres to the Uganda border.
The proposed Tanzania connection will complement Kenya's efforts to improve the movement of passengers and cargo across East Africa. The expanded SGR network is expected to improve transport efficiency, reduce pressure on highways, and stimulate investment in areas connected to the railway. This development aligns with Kenya's goal of shifting more cargo from roads to rail.
The SGR extension will have significant implications for Taita Taveta County, which is strategically located along the Kenya-Tanzania border. The planned stations will enable residents to benefit from both passenger and freight services, potentially providing new opportunities for businesses along the railway corridor. Ruto also announced that residents would receive title deeds in the following week, addressing a longstanding land ownership concern in the region.
The government has presented the railway as part of a wider regional transport corridor designed to improve the movement of passengers and cargo across East Africa. The proposed link to Tanzania will particularly enhance trade and economic cooperation between Kenya and its southern neighbour. Kenya's initial SGR line was developed under the Jubilee administration, running from Mombasa through Nairobi to Naivasha.
President Ruto's announcement also comes as Kenya pushes ahead with its plans to connect the SGR network to other East African countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The government has linked the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba project to future connections with these countries, aiming to create a seamless regional transport network.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has set aside KSh5 billion for the planned railway link from Voi to Tanzania.
- The proposed railway will pass through several parts of Taita Taveta County, with stations planned for Mwatate, Bura, Mwakitau, and Taveta.
- The expanded SGR network is expected to improve transport efficiency, reduce pressure on highways, and stimulate investment in areas connected to the railway.
