Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o has lauded Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for announcing the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Kisumu.
In a statement, Nyong'o said if implemented, the extension of the SGR to Kisumu spur business growth in Kisumu and surrounding areas.
"I would like to thank Transport Cabinet Secretary Hon Kipchumba Murkomen for announcing the long-awaited extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Kisumu beginning this year. This is good news because the project will greatly improve travel between Kisumu and Uganda and support both ordinary travelling and business. It will also make the refurbished Kisumu port more vibrant," Nyong'o stated.
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"The needed expansion of transport between the Lake Region and the rest of Kenya has awaited the arrival of the SGR for a long time. We hope all will be done to expedite this project. Once completed, the SGR will help spur economic growth in Western Kenya and open up the Western Tourism Circuit which is blessed with many beautiful tourist destinations."
Murkomen announced that the government was aiming to do 35 per cent of the project by December this year.
"Initially, the SGR was to run from Mombasa to Kisumu. However, the project started by former President Uhuru Kenyatta stalled in Nakuru due to inadequate funds. As the Kisumu Governor and Chairman of the Lake Region Economic bloc, I wish to thank the national Government for the new commitment in extending the SGR to Kisumu and eventually to Uganda," Nyong'o added.
Murkomen promises SGR to Kisumu
During the ongoing government roadshow, Murkomen announced that the extension of the SGR line to Kisumu was part of the projects the government is planning to undertake soon.
"Our commitment is to construct 35 per cent of SGR Phase 2B (Naivasha - Kisumu) by the end of 2024," he stated.
Other projects in the pipeline include the construction of 6,000 kilometres of tarmacked roads across the country by 2027, an increase in rail cargo to 8.2 million tonnes by the end of 2024, an increase in commuter passenger numbers by 25% by the end of this year, an increase in metre-gauge railway (MGR) passenger numbers to 6 million by year-end.
Others include the commencement of the construction of Dongo Kundu Berth I by the end of the year, the completion of the Shimoni fishing port by the end of the year, develop four airstrips (Garissa, Mandera, Homabay, Kericho) and the construction of MGR lines (Embakasi-Ruai, Ngong-Kiserain, SGR Terminus-JKIA and Voi-Taveta).
