Kenya’s Ruto Returns to China to Revive Stalled Railway Project

Kenya’s President William Ruto has travelled to China for the second time since taking office, seeking to revive talks over funding for the stalled extension of the country’s standard gauge railway (SGR) from Naivasha to the Ugandan border at Malaba.

The 468-kilometre stretch is a key missing link in the Northern Corridor project, which was conceived over a decade ago as a high-capacity transport artery linking the port of Mombasa to landlocked countries in East Africa.

The line was intended to streamline regional trade by enabling seamless cargo movement between Kenya and its neighbours, including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first phase of the SGR, a 472-kilometre section from Mombasa to Nairobi, was completed in 2017 at a cost of around $3.2 billion, with Chinese financing and construction.

It was later extended to Naivasha in 2019. However, further progress was halted after China declined to fund the final stretch to Malaba, citing debt sustainability concerns and project viability.

As a result, the railway ends abruptly in Naivasha, forcing cargo to be offloaded onto trucks for the remainder of the journey to the hinterland.

Uganda, whose connectivity to Mombasa is heavily reliant on the completion of Kenya’s SGR, has since moved forward with its own section.

After prolonged delays and failed negotiations with Chinese lenders, Kampala opted for a Turkish contractor and alternative funding.

Construction on the 272-kilometre stretch from Kampala to Malaba began in late 2024, raising pressure on Kenya to complete its side of the cross-border infrastructure.

Ruto’s latest visit comes nearly two years after a similar trip aimed at re-engaging Chinese partners on the project.

However, no deal was reached at the time. His renewed push signals Nairobi’s commitment to reigniting the railway project, which is seen as central to easing transport bottlenecks, cutting freight costs and boosting competitiveness in the region.

Kenya is also exploring other financing avenues, including private partnerships and sovereign loans, amid growing concerns over public debt levels.

gandae@businessdayafrica.org