SGR Mombasa Terminus [Photo/Business Daily]
Plans for the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Kisumu are underway and expected to come with a lot of economic benefits. The extension is expected to reach Malaba town so as to link the Kisumu port to Mombasa.
This will ease transport of cargo to other countries in the East African Region. The extension comes in the wake of another project taking place along Lake Victoria's shores in Usare village.
The project is expected to improve trade with Uganda’s Port Bell, Tanzania’s Mwanza Port, South Sudan’s Jinja Port and Rwanda’s Kimondo Bay.
According to Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry branch chairman, Israel Agina, the SGR will boost competition amongst manufacturer’s while also encourage the countries’ economic growth and development. “Kisumu is looking forward to improved investment opportunities as investors will now find it attractive to set up in the region,” he said. Agina highlighted Kisumu’s proximity to Uganda, Northern Tanzania, South Sudan and the entire great lakes region making it an ideal to the East and central African markets.