SGR extension to Kisumu, Malaba set for January launch - Ruto

The construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba will officially kick off in January 2026, President William Ruto has said, linking the project to the founding ideals of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

The project, aimed at boosting trade along the Northern Corridor, will pass through Narok, Bomet, Nyamira, Kisumu and Busia counties, with compensation planned for affected communities.

Speaking during a dinner for founding members of ODM on Saturday, Ruto emphasised his commitment to implementing projects that align with the party’s original manifesto.

The head of state announced that work on the railway extension would start in January next year. He defended various government initiatives, drawing parallels with strategies that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga would have used.

“I can say here without fear of any contradiction that Raila Odinga would have implemented housing the way I am implementing; he would have implemented the Universal Health Coverage the way I am implementing because we believed in it together,” Ruto said.

“Even this railway thing, this SGR, it was in the original ODM manifesto, and that is why I must move the railway from Naivasha to Kisumu to Malaba. By the way, I am going to begin to move it by January.”

He noted that funding strategies are under discussion, with the government planning to utilise the railway levy on imported goods and considering a 15-year bond to support construction. Initial discussions with China to finance the project are said to have stalled due to hesitancy on Beijing’s part.

The railway extension is also expected to enhance trade along the Northern Corridor, linking the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, South Sudan, DR Congo, Burundi and Rwanda.

Ruto also reflected on his vision for the country, noting similarities with the late ODM leader’s plans.

“After the 2022 election, my team were having sleepless nights, but I was sleeping. It did not matter to me who would win the elections. Whether I won or Raila won, we had almost the same plan for this country. I can say without fear of contradiction that Raila would have implemented the housing and the universal coverage the way I am implementing. We believed in it together. Most of the plans were in the original ODM manifesto,” he said.

The Head of State also urged current party leaders to preserve Raila Odinga’s legacy and maintain party unity.

“The people who now have the reins of this party, please, I urge you not to undermine the spirit of ODM, not to allow this party to go into arguments, or to fragment this party. This party must stay strong for the sake of Raila Amolo Odinga and his legacy,” Ruto said.

“I say so, being a party leader of a different party today, but I am a strong believer that parties are the foundation of every strong democracy. That is why I have come here to celebrate ODM as a strong party, not a briefcase party, not a regional party, but a national party.”

The president highlighted the role of political parties in shaping democracy.

“As we celebrate 20 years of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), we also honour the life and legacy of its leader, the late Honourable Raila Odinga. Baba’s rich, solid and enduring legacy continues to shape our political landscape. It is important that the powerful spirit of ODM is given room to flourish, keeping the party united and strong, and protecting it from ever being fragmented,” he said.

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• Malaba set for January launch - Ruto

“May ODM continue to inspire us to build and stand behind robust, progressive national political parties that serve as a bedrock of our democracy, driving politics of ideology rather than ethnicity or division.”

Meanwhile, cracks within ODM were evident during the celebrations. Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho warned that attempts to marginalise certain members would be met with resistance.

“Msifikirie mtatutoa chambo au kafara. Nawaambia wengine wetu damu yetu ni moto. Ukileta tunaleta, ukitukujia tunakukujia. Mkitufukuza tutawafukuza,” Joho said.

His warning followed remarks by Raila Odinga’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, who criticised party leaders attempting to undermine ODM, stressing the need to keep the party strong and united.

“It is important that we defend this party. I want to tell those people that you cannot sacrifice us or get us out of the party. Some of us are capable of fighting back,” she said.