Nyanza Leaders Demand the Actualization of Kisumu SGR Project Despite Failed Loan

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The Naivasha to Kisumu SGR Debate seem to be far from over. After reports emerged that President Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga failed to secure a loan from the Chinese government to fund the project, it seems like Leaders from Luo Nyanza want to hear none of that.

The leaders have now asked the Government to ensure that the construction of the Standard Gauge Railways (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu is realised as earlier planned.

The leaders who spoke at St Paul’s Catholic Church in Kisumu West,
called for the completion of SGR saying it would open up Kisumu as the regional economic hub.

Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch told the government not to abandon the SGR project. “The old railway should be revamped,” he said.

Olago said the railway network linking Kisumu -Mombasa to the neighbouring counties would massively enhance trade in the region.

Other leaders present at the event were Onyango Koyoo (Muhoroni), Walter Owino (Awendo), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), Jared Okello (Nyando), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) and James Nyikal (Seme).

Also present were Aduma Owuor (Nyakach), Tom Odege (Nyatike), Jacqueline Oduol (Nominated MP), Rose Nyamunga (nominated Senator), Christine Ombaka (women rep Siaya) and Millie Odhiambo (Mbita).

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Olago said that as leaders from Kisumu, they were not privy to the trip to China by the President and Raila. Olago assured the residents that they will give direction on the SGR project once they get details from the two leaders.

This comes just days after the Government made a surprise admission that the SGR will end in Naivasha from where the old railway will continue to be used to Kisumu.

According to Transport CS James Macharia, the SGR will be joined to the old meter gauge railway in Naivasha to speed up the resumption of transport services to kisumu.

He revealed this during an interview with Kenya’s national broadcaster KBC on Friday.

Opposition Chief Raila Odinga had hinted to Kisumu residents that the SGR will reach there as he was heading to China alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta to seek a loan of Ksh.368billion for the SGR Phase 2b.

“… we’re going to China with President Uhuru to negotiate SGR construction deals..from next year the SGR will continue from Naivasha to Narok, Nyamira, Sondu and finally Kisumu port,” he said in Kisumu a week ago.

Instead, Kenya signed an operation and maintenance service agreement for the Nairobi to Naivasha segment of the SGR.

This killed the Spirits of many Kisumu residents who were upbeat about the SGR finally getting to the Lakeside City.

Kenya and China on Friday signed project delivery agreements worth Sh226 billion for the Konza Data Centre and Smart Cities Project by telecommunications giant Huawei and the JKIA-James Gichuru expressway.

President Uhuru Kenyatta witnessed the signing of the deals that will be fulfilled through concessional financing and Public Private-Partnership (PPP).

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