Kenya SGR Extension to Malaba and Uganda: Is it happening any time soon?
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- Опубліковано 1 тра 2023
- #SGR #Project #UgandaSGR #Malaba The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kenya was supposed to run from port of Mombasa to Malaba , the border with Uganda. The line which was planned to be constructed in four phases stopped at Suswa , Narok county. The extension to Malaba through Kisumu was suspended. It is not clear when this section will be built.
We need strong leaders who are focused for these projects to succeed in East Africa. Railways have always been the cheapest means of transport of goods on long distance. We should get over cheap politics which have kept our Africa backwards for so long. Economics tell it all.
The suspension of the SGR extension to Malaba on the Uganda-Kenya border may not have been a wise choice. And why the line would have to go through Kisumu but not direct to Malaba? From Malaba, Uganda planned to extend the line through west to Rwanda and the DR Congo. Another extension was to north to South Sudan, as well as north-west to DR Congo. As of now, the electrified Tanzania SGR is fast heading to Mwanza on the shores of Lake Victori,to link with Kampala(UGANDA),then from Ishaka, to Kigali(RWANDA), to Gitega(BURUNDI) and eventually to the DR Congo. Uganda has in place a wagons- ferry which can pick up cargo from Mwanza Port. Sadly, Kenya SGR has not yet reached Kisumu Port on Lake Victoria. Will Mombasa Port not lose out business to Dar-es-Salaam Port? Rwanda, DR Congo and Uganda can ship their cargo through Dar-es-Salaam port It is kind of strange that Kenya spent funds to revamp the old metre gauge railway (MGR) from Mombasa to Malaba, instead of pushing the SGR to reach the Uganda border at Malaba. At the same time, Uganda is to start to build their electrified, from Malaba to Kampala, then onwards to Kasese, in the west, which is close to the DR Congo. That Kenya SGR is stuck at Naivasha.,is not good. The Est African Community members should have more consultations in order to coordinate transport integration.
There is news that Uganda will start constructing its Malaba-Kampala line. Kenya may have to rethink and revive the plan to extend the rail to Malaba, otherwise this may affect business at the port as transporters will opt for other routes. Is there a shorter distance from Suswa(Narok) to Malaba? The planned route gives areas which are not covered by rail network a chance to enjoy rail services. I agree that EAC states need to have more consultations. This competition is not healthy, it just ends up eating scarce resources.
The suspension of the extension of SGR to malaba is not a good idea. Uganda may opt to link via Tanzania which they are our biggest competitor. Kenya government must wake up and have a good plan. Our neighbors are real moving forward in a high speed. Tuacheni ukabila na ubinafsi.
Asante sana Kenya Kipenzi Changu. Natuendelee mbele bila haraka kwani Waswahili Washaa Sema Haraka Haraka Haina Baraka.
Lakini wahenga pia walinena....ngoja ngoja huumiza matumbo na chelewa chelewa utampata mwana si wako