Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan have impact on a 9th week feasibility study for the proposed Naivasha -Kisumu -Malaba railway line.

The three states are currently assessing the financial viability of extending the modern railway line from Naivasha to Malaba border which is expected to South Sudan.

The government is working on how it can secure infrastructure loan to extend Standard-Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba.

Kenya also noted that Railway development levy is insufficient for SGR extension.

Transport Ministers for three countries said the extension of modern railway line will is crucial for transport network.

What Kenya’s Transport Minister Said

Kenya’s Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, the line will improve regional economies by improving cargo movements and cutting logistics cost.

Speaking on November 7th, 2025, he also noted that the Railway line between Mombasa and Naivasha currently accounts for 20% of all the cargo transport.

The government is looking for mechanism to address this issue upon the completion of the line to Malaba.

Meanwhile, the government also plans to open the upgraded line to private operators who will pay tool fees, improving effeciency and attracting investment.

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“Investment and infrastructure to open up a country does not necessarily many times need to meet profitability, otherwise we will never built roads, we will never built the Railway lines because that is how you grow a country,” Chirchir asserted.

Additionally, the line opens up the country for movement of goods to market which boosts the economy of the country.

“You open up the country for movement of goods to market and therefore their is more of financial returnal investment but their is more economic return on investment. In fact the broader growth of the economy,” he added.

What Uganda Minister of Transport Said

According to the Transport Minister of Uganda, Fred Byamukama said East Africa countries relies heavily on road transportation and it’s time to shift as roads are congested delaying cargo transportation.

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“We know in East Africa, we invest alot of money in repairing roads why… because most of our cargo we are being taking it by road and also the roads are congested because the passengers compete with cargo,” said Byamukama.

He added, “Now what we are here now we want cargo to move from Mombasa it comes to Nairobi it goes to Naivasha… Kisumu comes to Uganda through Malaba it goes Gulu, Nemule upto Juba.”

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Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir speaking at past event. PHOTO/S