Construction of the long-awaited Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension will begin in July 2026, with Kenya Railways announcing that preparations for the multi-billion-shilling project have entered the final phase.

The State corporation said it has intensified activities ahead of the groundbreaking, including public consultations with affected landowners and inspections of properties earmarked for compulsory acquisition along the railway corridor.

One of the latest public engagement forums was held in Kisumu County on June 24, where Kenya Railways officials met landowners, whose properties will be affected by the construction of the proposed Kibos Terminus, a key facility on the new railway line.

The meeting brought together residents from Kisumu Town East Sub- County whose land parcels were listed in Gazette Notice No. 4986 published on April 2, 2026, formally paving the way for compulsory acquisition.

During the forum, Kenya Railways unveiled the proposed design of the Kibos Terminus and outlined the areas that will be affected once construction begins. Officials from the National Land Commission (NLC) also explained the legal procedures governing compulsory land acquisition, valuation, and compensation under the Land Act, 2012.

The commission informed affected landowners that inspections and valuation of gazetted parcels commenced on June 25 as part of the compensation process before construction starts.

Preparations are also underway in other counties along the railway route. Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga recently led a high-level delegation to Narok County, where officials inspected the proposed railway corridor and reviewed the project's readiness ahead of the commencement of works.

Kenya Railways said the project has now advanced from the planning stage to implementation following the successful completion of route planning and validation exercises that informed the final railway design.

"The Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway Project has reached a significant milestone, with Kenya Railways progressing preparations for the commencement of construction works following the successful completion of the Route Planning and Validation Exercise," the corporation said in a statement.

The railway extension forms part of the government's broader strategy to modernize Kenya's transport infrastructure by extending the SGR from Naivasha through Kisumu to Malaba on the Kenya-Uganda border. The line is expected to improve cargo movement, lower transport costs, and enhance trade along the Northern Corridor, while creating thousands of jobs during the construction phase.

The project also marks a major milestone in efforts to strengthen regional integration under the East African transport network. Once completed, the railway will provide a seamless connection to neighbouring countries as part of the wider regional Standard Gauge Railway master plan.

Construction begins months after the government awarded the estimated Sh700 billion contract to Chinese firms China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

With construction now imminent, the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba SGR extension is expected to become one of Kenya's most significant transport investments, boosting regional trade, improving logistics, and strengthening the country's position as a gateway for East Africa.