President Ruto: SGR extension will transform Kisumu’s economic future

The new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line from Narok to Kisumu and Malaba will substantially change the fortunes of Kisumu City, President William Ruto has said.

The President said the new line will boost trade within and outside the lakeside city, leading to accelerated growth and development.

Just as the old railway built by the colonial authorities led to the founding of Kisumu in the late 1890s, the SGR line will define the city's fortunes in the future.

"As we develop the Railways City in Nairobi, we shall also do the same here in Kisumu," he said.

President Ruto was speaking on Friday during a luncheon he hosted for the Muslim community to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr at State Lodge, Kisumu.

Present were Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Governors Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, among other leaders.

On Saturday, the President announced, he and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda will launch the extension of the Kisumu-Malaba section of the SGR.

On Thursday, President Ruto launched the construction of Naivasha-Kisumu SGR section in Narok, an important step in completing the line that had stalled for years.

The President pointed out that the new railway would traverse and catalyse economic activities in nine counties - Narok, Bomet, Nyamira, Kericho, Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, Kakamega and Busia.

On development projects in Kisumu County, President Ruto said the government is investing Ksh.45 billion in affordable housing, modern markets, and student hostels.

Of these, the government is investing Ksh.33 billion to build 15,000 affordable housing units in Kisumu County.

He announced that the government will also construct a new stadium in the city at a cost of Ksh.950 million to boost sports development.

He commended Kisumu residents for being among the best counties in the registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA), courtesy of Governor Nyong'o and the leadership of the Kisumu County Government.

He further thanked the county's leadership for agreeing to partner with the National Government to upgrade Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to a Level 6 facility.

"I want to commit to you, here and now, that we will truly make it a Level VI Hospital," he said.

On sugar farming, the President recalled that he and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga discussed solutions to the difficulties ailing the sector, leading to widespread reforms.

"The results are there for all to see: Farmers and factory workers are being paid on time. Farmers are also enjoying bonuses. I am confident that in the next two to three years, Kenya will be net exporters of sugar," he said.

Mr. Oginga, who is also the Senator of Siaya, said the National Infrastructure Fund, which the President recently signed into law, will change the fortunes of the country's regions that have long been neglected in national development.

"Through this fund, we shall soon reach Singapore, and then Canaan," he said.

Also at the luncheon were Kisumu MPs Tom Ojienda (Senator), Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), Shakeel Shabbir (Kisumu Town East), and Rosa Buyu (Kisumu Town West), among others.