The Motorists Association of Kenya has raised an alarm over the construction of the Naivasha–Kisumu-Malaba railway, warning that the project could disrupt the country’s highway-based economy, rendering the ongoing road upgrades unnecessary.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 25, MAK argued that once operational, the rail line is likely to absorb the bulk of transit cargo currently transported by road along the Northern Corridor, shifting freight movement away from highways to rail.
According to the association, such a shift would weaken the economy, particularly for businesses and communities that depend on long-distance road transport.
They argue that Towns that have historically thrived on transit traffic, including Mai Mahiu, Naivasha, Nakuru, Eldoret and Webuye, could face a sharp economic decline if cargo and long-haul trucking activity is reduced.
Ongoing construction works on a section of the Rironi-Mau summit road project.
MINA
“Once fully operational, this railway will absorb almost all transit cargo that currently depends on road transport. Goods that today flow along the Northern Corridor, which has long been neglected for upgrades, would instead move efficiently by rail,” MAK said in a statement.
“Once all cargo moves by rail, towns along the highways- Mariakani, Mazeras, Samburu, Makinon, Mtito Makindu, Emali, Mai Mahiu, Naivasha, Kikopee, Nakuru, Mau Summit, Eldoret, Webuye to Malaba -will gradually die a natural death. Without road transport for transit and long-distance travel, these towns will become ghost towns,” it added.
The lobby group further questioned the rationale for planned investments in road expansion projects, singling out the Rironi–Mau Summit dual carriageway, which is currently under construction and expected to be completed by JuneJune 2027.
MAK argues that the highway could become underutilised if rail becomes the dominant mode of cargo transport.
“Investing billions in expanding highways while simultaneously developing a parallel railway corridor raises serious concerns about duplication and value for money,” the association said.
Beyond economic concerns, the group also pointed to what it described as emerging strategic risks tied to foreign involvement in major infrastructure projects, citing the roles of foreign firms, such as those from China, in developing key transport corridors.
The motorists warned that increased reliance on externally financed and executed projects could deny Kenya control over the infrastructure.
On Thursday, March 19, President William Ruto officially launched construction of the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Kisumu, with a final extension to Malaba, a border town with Uganda.
The new railway line will be developed in two key phases, with the Naivasha-Kisumu section covering 264 kilometres and the Kisumu-Malaba stretch extending 107 kilometres, bringing the total length to over 370 kilometres at a total cost of Ksh 500 billion.
Once complete, the SGR Phase 2B will pass through nine counties and is expected to be completed by June 2027. The new route is set to boost connectivity between the Great Rift Valley, Nyanza, and Western Kenya regions.
An image of the wagons used on Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway
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