The government has allocated Sh25 billion to compensate landowners affected by the construction of the Narok-Bomet-Kisumu section of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), as work on the multibillion-shilling project progresses.
Kenya Railways Corporation Managing Director Philip Mainga said the National Land Commission (NLC) was conducting public participation, with land valuations and negotiations with affected property owners ongoing.
Mainga noted that Kenya Railways had secured early access to some sections of land to facilitate construction as compensation discussions continued.
The railway’s Phase 2B section is under construction in parts of the region, including Narok, where the line will cover approximately 98 kilometres.
The route will also traverse Bomet, Nyamira, Kericho, Homa Bay and Kisumu counties.Speaking during a public participation meeting, Kapkesosio village resident Stephen Ruto welcomed the project, saying it would improve connectivity between Bomet, other parts of Kenya and the wider East African region.
Mainga said the government planned to establish logistics hubs and value-addition facilities along the railway corridor to support agriculture, livestock, tourism, tea and fishing industries.
The project is also expected to ease the transportation of tea, coffee and sugar to the Port of Mombasa for export, potentially reducing logistical bottlenecks while creating employment and business opportunities for communities along the route.
President William Ruto launched construction of the project on March 19, 2026.
Construction is expected to take approximately two years, with Narok station scheduled to be partially completed by June 2027.
The railway is part of the government’s broader plan to extend the SGR network towards Kisumu and Malaba, strengthening freight transport links and regional trade with neighbouring East African countries.
