The construction of the Standard Guage Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba and beyond will thrust Kisumu County in to the heart of Kenya’s economic transformation.
The March 21, 2026 launch of the construction in Kisumu by President Ruto and his Uganda counterpart President Yoweri Museveni symbolizes the central place the city will occupy in the region’s economic progress.
Kisumu City will not only host construction workers but will also remain a regional hub that connects Kenya and the rest of the East Africa region.
Kisumu City will be the only artery in the hinterland that will connect Kenya and the region through the railway and water transport through Lake Victoria.
In acknowledging this fact and other developments in the area, Nyanza Regional Commissioner, Ms. Flora Mworoa, commended the steady progress recorded in the implementation of national government projects in Kisumu County.
She noted that significant gains had been made across key sectors that are central to economic growth and improved service delivery.
Ms. Mworoa observed that housing and urban development remained the leading sector in the county, with large-scale investments driving both employment and urban transformation.
She cited the flagship Lumumba Affordable Housing Project which was approximately 56 per cent complete and formed part of a broader rollout of over 9,000 housing units in the area.
The programme continues to generate substantial employment opportunities while addressing the housing needs of residents.
The Regional Commissioner highlighted progress in the markets and trade infrastructure sector, where several modern markets were almost complete.
She noted that these markets were already enhancing livelihoods by providing traders with dignified working spaces supported by water, sanitation, and electricity.
In the water and sanitation sector, Ms. Mworoa said the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Programme (LVWATSAN) had reached approximately 85 per cent completion, as a key milestone in improving access to clean and reliable water for communities.
She also said there were many ongoing investments in education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and student hostel construction.
The RC said the students housing projects being planned and those under construction would accommodate more than 10,000 learners in Kisumu and the wider Nyanza region.
She explained that the initiatives were aimed at strengthening skills development and expanding opportunities for the youth.
In the energy sector, the Regional Commissioner noted that the Sondu transmission line was about 94 per cent complete and was expected to enhance power stability and support economic activities across Kisumu County and neighbouring areas.
Ms Mworoa said the last-mile connectivity projects, including market lighting, were at varying stages of implementation.
She, however, noted that transport infrastructure projects faced delays, saying many initiatives were at between six and 25 per cent completion.
The RC expressed confidence that the projects would be expedited now that the bottlenecks such as pending bills, contractor withdrawal, and land compensation issues, which had let to the delays were being addressed.
The Regional Commissioner emphasized that industrialization and blue economy sectors remain key priority areas, with significant potential to unlock economic growth in Kisumu County and the wider Nyanza region with supported by accelerated investment and improved coordination.
“The progress we are witnessing across Kisumu County is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to transforming livelihoods and strengthening local economies. We will continue to work closely with all implementing agencies to address existing challenges and ensure timely completion of all projects,” she said.
