Following last month's announcement of construction starting in March, the National Land Commission (NLC) has detailed fair compensation plans for over 3,500 landowners affected by the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) phases 2B and 2C. NLC CEO Kabale Tache Arero highlighted the economic empowerment benefits, with public forums engaging stakeholders.
Building on the February announcement that SGR phases 2B and 2C construction would begin in March 2026, the National Land Commission (NLC) and Kenya Railways are progressing with compensation for project-affected persons (PAPs). NLC CEO Kabale Tache Arero confirmed: “We are compensating over 1,000 affected by this project. Towards Kisumu, we are compensating over 3,500. Look at it in terms of economic empowerment.”
Over the past two months, public forums have involved communities, stakeholders, and PAPs. Land parcels are being identified, surveyed, valued, and compensated per land laws and market rates.
The project spans over 370 km: Naivasha-Kisumu (264 km, Phase 2B across nine counties, ending June 2027) with stations at Narok, Mulot, Bomet, Sotik, Sondu, Ahero, and 17 crossing stations; an 8.69-km branch to Kisumu Port; and Kisumu-Malaba (107 km, Phase 2C) with stations at Yala and Mumias, plus six crossing stations. It includes 13 tunnels, 23 bridges, and 376 culverts. Trains will operate at up to 120 km/h for passengers (1,096 capacity) and 80 km/h for freight (4,000 tonnes).