The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has opened a 30-day public review period for the proposed extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Kisumu to Malaba, marking a critical step in the approval process of the multi-billion infrastructure project.
In a public notice, NEMA invited individuals, communities, and stakeholders to submit comments on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report for the project before any final decision is made.
The proposed railway forms part of the SGR Phase 2C extension, which seeks to connect Kisumu to Malaba at the Kenya–Uganda border. The extension is expected to complete the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba corridor, strengthening Kenya’s position as a regional transport hub.
Once completed, the line is projected to:
Under Kenya’s environmental laws, projects of this magnitude must undergo a comprehensive ESIA process to evaluate potential environmental and social risks.
The 30-day review period provides a platform for:
The SGR extension has already triggered land acquisition processes, with large parcels identified along the proposed corridor. Previous reports indicate that thousands of landowners could be affected, raising questions around compensation frameworks and resettlement plans.
These concerns are expected to feature prominently during the public participation phase.
While the SGR extension is widely seen as a key driver of economic growth, it also presents complex challenges around environmental sustainability and social equity.
Experts emphasize that the ESIA process is not merely procedural, but a crucial safeguard to ensure that development does not come at the expense of communities and ecosystems.
Following the 30-day public review, NEMA will assess all submissions before making a determination on whether to approve, reject, or require modifications to the project.
The outcome will shape the future of one of Kenya’s most ambitious infrastructure expansions, with implications for trade, connectivity, and community livelihoods across the region.
In a public notice, NEMA invited individuals, communities, and stakeholders to submit comments on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report for the project before any final decision is made.
The proposed railway forms part of the SGR Phase 2C extension, which seeks to connect Kisumu to Malaba at the Kenya–Uganda border. The extension is expected to complete the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba corridor, strengthening Kenya’s position as a regional transport hub.
Once completed, the line is projected to:
- Improve cargo and passenger movement
- Enhance trade between Kenya and neighboring countries
- Reduce pressure on road transport systems
Under Kenya’s environmental laws, projects of this magnitude must undergo a comprehensive ESIA process to evaluate potential environmental and social risks.
The 30-day review period provides a platform for:
- Local communities along the route
- Civil society organizations
- Environmental experts to raise concerns, seek clarification, or support the project.
- Land acquisition and compensation
- Environmental conservation, particularly around sensitive ecosystems
- Potential displacement of households and businesses
- Livelihood disruptions for affected communities
The SGR extension has already triggered land acquisition processes, with large parcels identified along the proposed corridor. Previous reports indicate that thousands of landowners could be affected, raising questions around compensation frameworks and resettlement plans.
These concerns are expected to feature prominently during the public participation phase.
While the SGR extension is widely seen as a key driver of economic growth, it also presents complex challenges around environmental sustainability and social equity.
Experts emphasize that the ESIA process is not merely procedural, but a crucial safeguard to ensure that development does not come at the expense of communities and ecosystems.
Following the 30-day public review, NEMA will assess all submissions before making a determination on whether to approve, reject, or require modifications to the project.
The outcome will shape the future of one of Kenya’s most ambitious infrastructure expansions, with implications for trade, connectivity, and community livelihoods across the region.
