Suna East MP and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has come out strongly in defence of the Standard Gauge Railway extension, brushing aside critics during the launch of the Kisumu–Malaba section on March 21, 2026.
Speaking at the event on Saturday attended by President William Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Junet said those opposing the project had failed to see its long-term value.
Addressing the gathering, Junet dismissed claims that the railway was a “rail to nowhere,” arguing that such views were based on a lack of understanding of the project’s broader plan. He maintained that the railway has always been intended to grow into a key link connecting Kenya to the wider region.
“Kuna wakora ambao kwa sasa wanapinga hii mambo wanaongea hawajui hii ni kazi ilianza 2016, kutoka Mombasa hadi hapo Narok na wanasema hii ni rail to nowhere lakini today it is a rail to Nairobi-Malaba-DRC and Africa at large,” he said.
He went on to criticise those he referred to as “walaghai,” saying they would now be left exposed as the railway expands and proves its importance as a regional transport corridor. According to him, the ongoing extension shows that earlier criticism of the project was misplaced.
Junet also used the moment to connect the railway expansion to the vision of Raila Odinga, describing it as a long-held dream that is now becoming reality. He said the project reflects years of planning and commitment to improving transport and trade in the region.
“Dream ya Baba yetu ambaye ametuwacha, Raila Amollo Odinga, leo imekamilika. Tunataka kumshukuru Rais William Ruto kwa kuhakikisha ya kwamba ndoto ya Baba imekamilika,” he said.
Earlier in the week, President Ruto had also addressed concerns raised by critics, insisting that the railway extension was never a misguided project. Speaking during the launch of the Naivasha section at Narok Technical Training College on March 19, he defended the plan as part of a wider development strategy.
“It was never a road to nowhere. We had a plan,” Ruto said.
The Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba line, which covers about 369 kilometres, is expected to link the existing SGR from Mombasa through Naivasha to western Kenya and onward to Uganda through Malaba. The project is seen as a key step in improving the movement of goods along the Northern Corridor, where road transport currently carries most of the load.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir had earlier confirmed that groundwork for the project was in progress, following site inspections in Kisumu County and Narok County ahead of the launch.
The ceremony drew large crowds and brought together leaders from both Kenya and Uganda, reflecting the shared effort to improve infrastructure and strengthen regional ties within the East African Community.
