MWATATE, Kenya — President William Ruto has announced plans to extend Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) towards Tanzania, saying the Government has set aside about Sh5 billion for the proposed link.
Ruto said the railway extension would connect Voi and Tanzania as part of wider efforts to strengthen regional trade and transport links between Kenya and its East African neighbours.
He made the announcement on Sunday while speaking at a church service in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County.
“We are already extending SGR from Naivasha to Kisumu and to the Malaba border. As we extend that, it is also important to link Voi and Tanzania. We’ve already set aside around KSh5 billion for that project,” Ruto said.
SGR Stations Planned Across Taita Taveta
Ruto said the proposed railway development would include stations in Mwatate, Bura, Mwakitau and Taveta before extending towards Tanzania.
He said the infrastructure would allow passengers to disembark in the county while also supporting the movement of cargo.
“You will be able to drop passengers here and carry cargo. Other places are being developed, so don’t listen to those saying Taita Taveta should not be developed,” he said.
The President said the project forms part of Kenya’s broader plan to improve railway connectivity with Tanzania and Uganda and strengthen regional economic integration.
Existing Voi-Taveta Railway Is Meter Gauge
The latest announcement comes as the Government separately works to revive the Voi–Mwatate–Taveta railway, an existing metre-gauge line that links the region towards the Tanzania border.
Ruto launched reconstruction of the 130-kilometre line in April 2026 at a cost of Sh5.5 billion. The project includes a dry port in Voi and railway stations at Voi, Mwatate, Bura, Maktau and Taveta.
The existing line is intended to reconnect the Mombasa–Voi–Taveta–Moshi–Arusha trade corridor and facilitate movement of goods and people across the Kenya-Tanzania border.
The Government’s 2026 rail budget also includes funding for the revitalisation and construction of the Voi-Taveta transshipment facility.
Kenya Expands SGR Towards Western Border
Ruto’s latest proposal would come alongside the ongoing expansion of the SGR from Naivasha towards Kisumu and eventually Malaba, linking Kenya to Uganda and the wider East African region.
The Government launched construction of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba SGR project in March 2026. The Naivasha-Kisumu section is planned to cover about 264 kilometres, with an additional branch to the proposed Kisumu Port, while the Kisumu-Malaba section is planned at 107 kilometres.
The projects are intended to strengthen Kenya’s role as a regional transport and logistics hub by improving the movement of passengers and cargo.
Railway Links Seen as Boost to Regional Trade
Kenya and Tanzania have previously committed to strengthening railway connectivity and cross-border trade.
During Ruto’s state visit to Tanzania earlier this year, the two governments reaffirmed their commitment to reviving the Voi-Mwatate-Taveta railway because of its potential to reduce transport costs and increase trade volumes.
The railway corridor could also connect the Port of Mombasa with markets in northern Tanzania and further into the East African region.
Ruto Promises More Development in Taita Taveta
The President said the railway plans were part of a broader development programme for Taita Taveta.
He also promised to issue title deeds to residents and initiate additional development projects in the county.
The announcement comes during Ruto’s wider Coast development tour, which includes Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Tana River and Lamu. He is also expected to issue nearly 200,000 title deeds across the six counties during the tour.
