Kaluma pointed to the previous administration under Uhuru Kenyatta, arguing that little opposition was raised when approximately Ksh1 trillion was used to construct the SGR from Mombasa inland.
According to the legislator, critics remained largely silent during that phase, despite claims that the railway line extended toward areas linked to private interests.
Now, he says, the same voices are loudly opposing the current government’s plan to invest Ksh650 billion in extending the SGR to Malaba, a key crossing point connecting Kenya to Uganda—its largest trading partner in the region.
The proposed extension is seen by the government as a strategic economic move aimed at boosting regional trade, improving cargo efficiency, and strengthening East African integration.
By linking the railway to Uganda, Kenya hopes to position itself as a critical logistics hub for landlocked neighbors.
Kaluma’s remarks have intensified debate across the political spectrum, with supporters of the project arguing that infrastructure investments are essential for long-term growth.
Critics, however, continue to question the cost, debt implications, and overall return on investment associated with large-scale railway projects.
The SGR has long been a symbol of both progress and controversy in Kenya, praised for modernizing transport while criticized for its financial burden.
The latest extension proposal has once again brought these tensions to the forefront.
As the debate rages on, Kaluma’s comments have added a sharp political edge, framing the discussion not just as an economic issue, but as a question of fairness, consistency, and national priorities in Kenya’s development journey.