Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan Launch Feasibility Study for Naivasha–Malaba Railway Extension
The governments also plan to open the upgraded railway to private operators, who would pay toll fees to use the infrastructure an approach designed to boost efficiency and attract investment
Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan have kicked off a nine-week feasibility study for the proposed Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba railway line, aiming to extend the modern railway from Naivasha all the way to the Malaba border and eventually into South Sudan
Transport ministers from the three countries highlighted the project as a vital link in East Africa’s transport network. Transport CS Davis Chirchir noted that the extension would unlock regional economies by improving cargo movement and reducing logistics costs, as the existing Mombasa–Naivasha line currently handles only 20% of cargo transport
The governments also plan to open the upgraded railway to private operators, who would pay toll fees to use the infrastructure an approach designed to boost efficiency and attract investment
“Even as we assess the project’s bankability, there is significant social value in investing in infrastructure that opens up the country,” Chirchir said. “Development isn’t always about immediate profitability; infrastructure enables markets and broader economic growth”
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Uganda’s Minister of State for Transport, Fred Byamukama, added, “Most cargo currently moves by road, causing congestion and higher maintenance costs. This railway will allow cargo to travel from Mombasa to Nairobi, Naivasha, Kisumu, Malaba, Uganda, and onward to Juba and the DRC, facilitating regional trade”
This project forms part of a broader strategy to enhance East Africa’s regional connectivity and economic integration
Writer : Mweru Mbugua
