Nyamira Left in the Cold as Omogeni Laments Railway Diversion to Sotik

Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni has lamented that a planned railway line that was expected to pass through Nyamira County has allegedly been diverted to Sotik, leaving residents feeling sidelined in a major infrastructure project.

Speaking during a public forum, Omogeni said the people of Nyamira had long anticipated the railway as a key driver of economic growth, trade, and connectivity. However, he claimed the new developments indicate that the route is now being directed through Sotik, effectively locking the county out of the benefits associated with the project.

The senator warned that excluding Nyamira could slow development in the region, noting that major transport infrastructure often attracts investment, creates jobs, and improves access to markets. He urged the national government and relevant agencies to reconsider the routing and ensure that the county is not left behind.

Omogeni argued that residents had supported national development programs with the expectation that projects would be distributed fairly across counties. He called for transparency in how the final route was determined and asked leaders from the region to unite in pushing for inclusion.

The debate comes amid wider discussions on the expansion of Kenya’s railway network toward western Kenya and Lake Victoria. Government plans for the Standard Gauge Railway extension to Kisumu have considered different corridors based on cost, terrain, and economic potential.

Local leaders and residents in Nyamira say they will continue lobbying for a review of the route, insisting that the county deserves a share of national infrastructure projects that could transform its economy.