This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
On October 16, 2019, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta officially opened the second phase of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, with a promise to complete the project to the border town of Malaba as originally envisioned.
Speaking during the launch, President Kenyatta acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead in extending the project beyond Suswa, in Rift Valley, where it currently terminates. However, he assured Kenyans that the government is committed to maximizing the economic benefits of the project.
“Just like we completed the Mombasa-Nairobi section, we will also ensure this project gets to its destination. There will be challenges along the way but that does not mean we will not do it,” Mr Kenyatta said.
The commuter services between the Syokimau Station and Suswa (approximately 100 kilometers) are set to begin on the same day, with passengers expected to pay Ksh200 ($2) for a one-way trip. Additionally, daily commuter services from Ngong and Nairobi termini on the outskirts of Nairobi will commence from Monday to Friday, with commuters paying Ksh100 ($1) per trip.
President Kenyatta's pledge to complete the SGR comes amidst funding challenges that will see the line stop at Suswa for now, creating an economic viability challenge for the Ksh150 billion ($1.5 billion) project.
Regional leaders accompanied the president on the train ride, including Transport CS James Macharia, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, Nairobi's Mike Sonko, and Alfred Mutua (Machakos) among others.
