Plans to extend the remaining stretch of the standard gauge railway are in place, the government has announced.
Transport PS Mohamed Daghar said the current administration is determined to extend phase 2B, from Naivasha to Kisumu, a distance of 362 kilometres, with a branch line to Kisumu port.
“Phase 2C is a distance of 106 kilometres from Kisumu to Malaba. We are working with the National Treasury and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure this extension happens,” he said.
The PS spoke on Wednesday at the SGR terminus in Syokimua, when 20 African ambassadors embarked on a one-day journey to witness key infrastructural projects funded by the Belt and Road Initiative.
Kenya Railways managing director Philp Mainga was present.
The projects are funded through various models such as public-private partnerships.
The Belt and Road Initiative is a massive China-led infrastructure project that aims to stretch around the globe.
The ambassadors toured the expressway, guided by the Chinese Ambassador.
PS Daghar said the project has been successful.
“It has witnessed more than 69,000 vehicles a day,” he said.
The ambassadors were later taken to the standard gauge railway terminus. They will visit other projects in Mombasa.
The tour came as countries prepare for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on September 3 to 7.
Daghar said the cooperation between Kenya and China will be enhanced.
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing'Oei said connectivity is core to development, progress and transformation.
“To unlock the potential of our continent, the agricultural potential, the industrial, mineral potential and power investment and to activate enterprises, we need an Africa that is connected,” he said.
Sing'Oei said without connectivity, countries cannot realise free trade areas.
“We came together with colleagues just to appreciate what Kenya is contributing towards the regional road, rail, digital connectivity. All those are elements of connectivity that are fused under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation,” he said.
The PS said Kenya is a key player within the Belt and Road initiative partnership with China.
He said President William Ruto will be attending the September summit for the country to showcase what the partnership has contributed to the economic transformation of the country.