Actual construction works on the Naivasha to Kisumu section of the Standard Gauge Railway has officially commenced. The project’s contractor laid the first piece of Rail and sleepers on July 1, 2026 in Narok and on July 2, 2026.

The project dubbed Phase 2B will see the contractor tackle the aurdious task from the two ends in a bid to fast track conclusion and construction of the project.

Kenya Railways Managing Director Mr. Philip Mainga was on hand to witness the significant moment and was joined by …… in Narok County; and by the Kisumu County Governor H.E Anyang Nyong’o, Nyanza Regional Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha, Kisumu County Commissioner Mohammed Mwabudzo among others.

This development follows the launch of the project by H.E President William Samoei Ruto, CGH on March 17, 2026 in Narok County and on March 19, 2026 in Kisumu County where he was joined by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda.

Speaking about the construction of the project, Mr. Mainga said that emphasized that the National Government through Kenya Railways is seeking to deliver the project in the shortest time possible to have way for the much awaited operation phase which will see passengers and cargo transported on the line.

He also reassured the communities living along the project’s corridor that they are set to be the biggest beneficiaries of the myriad opportunities that are set to come with the project’s implementation.

“Just like with Phase 1 and Phase 2A, the construction phase presents a lot of opportunities for the public. I want to assure the communities living along the corridor that they will be the biggest beneficiaries. From jobs to increased trading opportunities, the locals should prepare themselves to engage with the contractor in order to reap,” he said.

The laying of the first rail on the ground was a stark reminder of May 30, 1896 when Engineer George Whitehouse together with his team of technicians and flanked by Indian Coolies laid the first piece of rail on the Metre Gauge Railway line at Kilindini Habour.

The line went to set the trend for modern day Kenya by contributing to the emergence of towns, entrenchment of civilisation along its corridor, transformation of lifestyles and cultures and impacting the economy.

The Naivasha to Kisumu section of the line in a similar manner is expected to foster a great transformation along the corridor. With the capacity to transport at least 1,200 passengers, the line will engineer a significant shift of cargo and passengers from road to rail. Already, the shortened transit times are a crowd puller and many can’t wait to travel via the passenger train or transport their cargo via the freight service.

Another significant goody that is set to dawn on the residents along the corridor are the business opportunities that will be realised under the 40% local content. With the Government directive that at least 40% of all inputs to be utilised during the construction phase be sourced locally, the businesses lying along the corridor are set to realize great fortune.

For the nation, a new corridor traversing Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Nyamira to Kisumu basically means that movement has been eased and many more benefits are set to be delivered.