SGR land acquisition begins in Kericho as construction plans advance
By Dominic Cheres (KNA)
The Government has begun acquiring land for the 49.28-kilometre section of the Naivasha-Kisumu Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) traversing Kericho County, paving the way for construction of railway stations and other supporting infrastructure.
The process has entered the public engagement and pre-acquisition survey phase, with Kenya Railways undertaking pegging of the railway corridor and proposed station sites.
Speaking during the National Government Development County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-CICMC) meeting in Kericho, Kenya Railways Engineer Shimron Munga said the route alignment had been completed, while surveys and preparations for land acquisition were ongoing.
Kericho County Commissioner Omari Ali, who chaired the meeting, said the project had received strong support from residents and leaders, describing it as a major investment expected to transform transport and economic activity in the county.
Ali said the railway would improve connectivity, ease movement of people and goods and create new opportunities for businesses and communities along the corridor.
He urged residents and local leaders to cooperate with Kenya Railways and the National Government during land acquisition and construction to facilitate timely implementation and maximise the benefits of the project.
Munga said supplementary Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) studies were also at the sensitisation and socio-economic survey stage as the project progressed to the next phase.
The Phase 2B SGR line enters Kericho from Bomet at DK 264+900 and runs north-westwards for 23.25 kilometres to the Nyamira border at DK 288+150. It later re-enters Kericho from Homa Bay and continues for another 26.03 kilometres to the Kisumu border.
Munga said the major railway facility planned in the county was the Sotik North Intermediate Station at DK 266+900, approximately four kilometres north of Sotik Town.
A major SGR logistics hub and intermediate station is also planned at Tiiritab Moita in Bureti, covering approximately 125 acres. The logistics hub will occupy 65 acres, while the intermediate station will cover 60 acres.
The facility is expected to provide passenger and freight services, supporting the movement of agricultural produce and other goods along the Naivasha-Kisumu corridor.
Other planned facilities include a passing station at Ikonge at DK 276+400, a reserved passenger station at Awasi at DK 316+350 and another passing station at Kapsorok in Soin at DK 328+700.
Munga said Kenya Railways was working with affected communities and Government agencies to identify suitable land while minimising disruption to schools, public institutions and other community facilities.
“We are really trying to avoid interfering entirely with learning institutions around that station area, but we may touch on other government land,” he said.
He said alternative public land could be considered where necessary, particularly where Government or county land was available.
Munga emphasised that public participation remained central to the project, with residents being consulted on land acquisition, the railway corridor and other issues affecting communities.
“Public participation is very important, and residents have been engaged on various issues, including the naming of one of the proposed stations,” he said.
He added that landowners whose privately owned property is acquired for the railway would be compensated.
The NGD-CICMC meeting brought together National Government officials and representatives from Kenya Railways, Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, National Government Administration Officers and other Government agencies