Kisumu, 2nd July 2026 –The much anticipated construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) station in Kisumu officially began on Thursday, moving the project from presidential launch to implementation with Kenya Railways assuring residents that local communities will be the first to benefit from jobs and business opportunities.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, Kisumu County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo, and Kenya Railways Managing Director (MD) Philip Mainga, termed it a game changer for the regions residents and beyond the borders during the groundbreaking ceremony they attended at the Kibos SGR 2C Terminus project site.
Calling it a historic milestone for Kisumu, Governor Nyong’o said the project will transform the city into a railway hub that reconnects the region with neighbouring countries through rail and Lake Victoria.
He emphasised the railway city would stimulate economic growth by creating employment and expanding business opportunities for residents
“I am encouraged to note that ground preparation has already commenced, a clear indication that this long-awaited project is now taking shape. We look forward to its timely completion so that our people can begin to realise its immense economic and social benefits.”
Nyong’o also heaped praise on the framers of the constitution who envisioned a system of government founded on consultation, cooperation, and mutual respect between the two tiers (National and county)governments.
“The relationship was never intended to be one of competition, but of complementarity in the service of the people. When the two levels of government work together in fidelity to the Constitution, development ceases to be a political slogan and becomes a lived reality for our people,” Nyong’o lauded.
The county boss added that by executing what President William Ruto launched, is taking bold and definitive steps towards building a railway city in the area to deliver lasting value to present and future generation.
On his part, Commissioner Mwabudzo said the start of works signals the government’s commitment to delivering on its infrastructure promises in line with the Bottoms Up Economic Transformative Agenda (BETA).
“The railway project, the SGR project, is real, and you can see it for yourself,” Mwabudzo said.
Affirming the position, MD Mainga said the contractor has already mobilized equipment and personnel to the site and begun recruiting workers from the local community.
“This aligns with Kenya Railways’ policy of prioritizing residents living along the railway corridor. The Kisumu station, covering more than 100 acres, will serve as the main SGR station for Western Kenya and will drive investment, business growth, and job creation in the region,” he explained.
Local suppliers,Mainga added, will benefit through the sale of construction materials, while small businesses, including food vendors, will have opportunities to serve workers at the site.
He,however, appealed to project-affected landowners to cooperate with the compensation process being undertaken by the National Land Commission (NLC) to avoid delays warning the public against fraudsters impersonating government officials to exploit land compensation claims.
“We ask the public to beware of people taking advantage of this project to impersonate officials and present illegal documents so they can be compensated. That is criminal and we shall not allow it.”
Mainga expressed confidence that visible progress would be seen within the next few months, saying the contractor has the capacity to deliver the project within the agreed timelines.
