Kenya Railways Corporation has engaged a technical team to conduct an environmental and social impact study ahead of the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line from Naivasha to Kisumu.
As part of the preparatory phase, the team has been tasked with assessing potential environmental and social impacts while developing mitigation measures in consultation with Project-Affected Persons (PAPs).
Kenya Railways Engineer Tobias Otieno, who paid a courtesy call on Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong'o, said the Phase 2B SGR alignment route covering 262 km has already been delineated and marked by the team undertaking the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) study.
Otieno said Kenya Railways has scaled up preparatory activities for the extension, which is expected to revolutionize transportation within the western region, enhancing connectivity between Kisumu, Nairobi, and other major economic hubs.
"This project also aims to enhance regional connectivity from Naivasha to Malaba and Kampala, with further links to South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)," Eng. Otieno said.
Governor Nyong'o welcomed the project, stating that it would not only ease transportation but also create significant economic opportunities for the region.
The project, which includes the construction of a new lake port in Kisumu and a Standard Gauge Railway branch line connecting to the port, he said, was set to enhance connectivity between the Port of Mombasa and Kisumu, creating numerous job opportunities.
"The SGR is a transformative project for Kisumu and the entire Western Kenya region.
This extension will bring much-needed development and provide a reliable transport link to the rest of the country," he said.
The environmental and social impact study will assess potential effects on local ecosystems, communities, and infrastructure.
The findings of the study will guide the planning and implementation phases of the railway extension to ensure that the project meets the highest standards of environmental protection and community welfare.
Once completed, the SGR extension is poised to significantly improve freight and passenger transport, boosting trade, tourism, and regional integration.
It is also expected to enhance the development of key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing in the western region, contributing to Kenya's broader economic goals.
