Kenya Railways has confirmed Tiriitab-Moita in Bureti Sub-County as the proposed site for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) station in Kericho County.
The confirmation comes after months of uncertainty and protests by some residents who had raised concerns over changes to the planned railway route and the location of the station.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga met residents in the area on Wednesday, August 19, alongside Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, as consultations on the project continued.
The meeting gave residents an opportunity to raise concerns about how the railway project will affect the community.
Among the issues discussed were access to the proposed station, employment opportunities for locals, land acquisition and compensation, as well as the need for regular communication as construction progresses.
“The governor of Kericho County H.E. Dr. Erick Kipkoech Mutai and Managing Director of Kenya Railways Corporation, Mr. Philip J. Mainga, EBS engaged the community in Tiriitab-Moita, Bureti Sub-county, where the proposed SGR station is supposed to be located in Kericho County,” Kenya Railways said in its statement.
The discussions took place after residents demonstrated in July due to the change in the SGR route.
On July 11, demonstrations by residents took place due to the reported change in the railway line, noting that this would result in the loss of economic benefits that would come with the project.
The residents reported that the route that was surveyed in 2022 had changed due to the lack of enough public participation. There were also fears that the change of route would cause the bypassing of the proposed Chebilat terminal.
The SGR terminal in the area would promote trade, job creation, and facilitate movement of both passengers and cargo.
The latest engagement by Kenya Railways has now provided clarity on the location of the proposed Kericho station, with Tiriitab-Moita identified as the site.
SGR project
The Kericho stretch forms part of the 2B Phase of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba SGR project that is supposed to go through the Narok, Bomet, Nyamira, Kericho and Kisumu counties.
On the Kericho stretch, the railway line is expected to span over 49 kilometres.
The project is estimated to cost Ksh700 billion, and its construction commenced in July 2026. It is estimated that the SGR will reach Kisumu in July 2027.
According to the Kenya Railways, preparatory works for the project have already begun in Kericho, including designing the railway route, acquisition of the land, conducting environmental and social impact assessments and setting the railway corridor and station locations.
Upon completion of the project, it will greatly boost cargo transport on the railways.
It is estimated that the SGR will be able to carry up to 22 million tonnes of cargo per year, easing congestion on the roads while enhancing the movement of cargo from Western Kenya to the port of Mombasa.
To the people of Kericho, however, the focus will shift to the acquisition of the land, compensations and construction of the station.
