By Anderson Ojwang
The proposed Naivasha to Kisumu Standard Railway Gauge (SGR) is becoming a reality following ongoing public engagement by the government.
The SGR will revolutionize the transport and economic activities in the region once concluded.
The government has embarked on public participation in the Standard Railway Gauge phase 2B from Naivasha to Kisumu.
The public participation is on the resettlement plan study on the affected people and engagement meetings.
In a letter addressed to the Deputy County Commissioner by the consulting firm, Apec Consortium Limited dated 23rd January 2025 sought to inform the office about the public engagement and mobilise members of the public for the meeting.
Mr Augestine Mwenga for the consortium wrote in parts ” As you are aware Kenya Railways proposes to construct a Standard Guage Railway (SGR) track, from Naivasha to Kisumu port about 263kms which is part of the regional project aimed at improving regional connectivity from Naivasha to Malaba and Kampala with links to South Sudan, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
The project is aimed at promoting the socio-economic development of the country and the entire region.
The proposed project phase traverses through five counties Bomet, Nyamira, Kericho, Narok and Kisumu.
Apec Consortium Limited has been undertaking a resettlement action plan study with the objective of identifying the project corridor and affected persons and developments within the immediate precinct of the proposed SGR alignment corridor, as well as the assessment of the probable effects of the project on the socio-economic activities within the project areas.
The study involves direct interaction with the project-affected persons, to create awareness on the said impact on their livelihood and properties“.
Several such public participation meetings have been held in other counties from last year.
