Kenya and Uganda Presidents to Discuss Railway Extension

Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda are scheduled to meet near the Kenya-Uganda border to discuss a multi-billion dollar railway extension project. This project, which aims to connect the Kenyan port of Mombasa to various locations including Nairobi and Naivasha, is crucial for enhancing trade in East and Central Africa.

The railway, built by China between 2013 and 2019, has left Kenya with significant debt, and the country is reportedly spending approximately $1 billion annually to service this debt. Despite the controversy surrounding the costs, Ruto emphasized the project's potential to catalyze economic growth and create jobs.

The next phase of the railway is expected to reach Malaba by June 2027, with an overall estimated cost of 500 billion shillings ($3.9 billion). Kenya plans to finance this phase by borrowing against future cargo tax revenues, as it has faced challenges in repaying loans from Chinese banks.