Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga has announced that Kisumu City in Lake Victoria Basin will host one of the largest stations on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network in East Africa as part of a modern ‘Railway City’ planned at Car Wash area.

The railway station, which will extend to the Kisumu-Kakamega highway, will be known as Kisumu Railway City, will cover more than 100 acres. It is consequently expected to become the central railway terminal that serves western Kenya and neighbouring countries to the west.

It is hoped that it will attract investment in commercial and industrial sectors, in nation to residential developments.

The SGR extension from Narok to Kisumu officially commenced on Thursday, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s transport infrastructure development and positioning Kisumu as a regional railway and logistics hub in East Africa.

The works form part of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba SGR project launched by Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni in March this year. The railway extension is expected to connect Naivasha to Busia on Kenya-Uganda border and in turn enhance regional trade, reduce transport costs and strengthen East Africa integration.

Speaking during the commencement of the construction works in Kisumu on Thursday, Kenya Railways boss Philip Mainga said the contractor had already mobilised personnel and the necessary equipment for construction to begin in Narok.

“Today we have not come to launch. The President launched this project on March 21. What we have come to do today is commence work,” Mainga said.

He expressed confidence that the contractor had the technical and financial capacity to complete the project within two years, provided all stakeholders support its implementation, particularly in matters relating to land acquisition and compensation.

Mainga said the project would create significant employment opportunities for residents along the railway corridor, noting that local communities would be given priority during recruitment.

“We are not going to employ non-locals. Wherever we move, we will recruit the local people,” he gave the assurance.

He added that county government teams would work closely with the contractor to ensure transparent recruitment and maximise employment opportunities for local residents.

Beyond direct jobs, Mainga said the project would stimulate economic activity by creating business opportunities for suppliers of ballast, sand, aggregates and other construction materials, as well as service providers offering accommodation, transport and food services to construction workers.

“It is a transformation project that will create more employment opportunities for locals, including service providers who will be serving food to staff during construction,” he said.

“This is more than a city. It is not just a city. The dynamics in this country will change. From today, you will begin to see a lot of things happening here,” he said.

Mainga appealed to residents and the county government to cooperate during land acquisition to ensure timely implementation of the project. He said the National Land Commission (NLC) had already identified and gazetted affected landowners and was processing compensation claims.

“We are ready to compensate them. We appeal to landowners to allow the National Land Commission to complete its work so construction is not delayed,” he said.

He also warned members of the public against fraudsters posing as government officials in an attempt to obtain title deeds and personal documents from landowners.

“We do not want people handing over their title deeds or documents to the wrong individuals. The public should remain vigilant against people impersonating government officials,” he cautioned.

Mainga further called on individuals who have encroached on Kenya Railways land reserves to vacate voluntarily to pave the way for construction, urging local administrators to support enforcement efforts.

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o described the commencement of construction as a historic milestone that would restore Kisumu’s traditional role as a transport, trade and logistics gateway to East Africa.

He said improved rail connectivity with Uganda and other neighbouring countries would stimulate commerce, attract new investments and generate employment opportunities for local residents.

“I do hope that within a year we shall see the reality here. Many people will be employed. It will create a market for many goods and services – not only food but many businesses within the city,” Nyong’o explained.

He pointed out that the railway city would accelerate urban development while strengthening Kisumu’s position as a centre for regional commerce and industrial growth.

Kisumu County Commissioner Mohammed Mwabudzo said the commencement of construction demonstrated the government’s commitment to implementing key development projects.

“I want to categorically say the broad-based government is not a government of rhetoric, rumours and hearsay. It is a government in action,” Mwabudzo said.

He assured residents that his office would provide the necessary support to ensure smooth implementation of the project without unnecessary delays.

“The SGR project is real, and you can see it for yourselves,” he added.

Once completed, the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba SGR is expected to significantly lower freight transport costs, improve cargo movement to and from the Port of Mombasa, boost regional trade, strengthen cross-border connectivity and firmly establish Kisumu as a major logistics, investment and commercial hub serving Western Kenya and the wider East African region.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Dorothy Pamella