President William Ruto has officially commissioned the reconstruction of the Voi-Mwatate-Taveta railway line. This ambitious Ksh.5.5 billion project, paired with the establishment of a state-of-the-art dry port in Voi, marks the end of a two-decade period of industrial silence for the region and the beginning of its transformation into a strategic logistics powerhouse.
The Voi-Taveta Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) has been dormant for nearly 20 years, a casualty of declining freight services and deteriorating infrastructure. Historically, the line served as a critical link between the Port of Mombasa and northern Tanzania.
By revitalizing this corridor, the government aims to reconnect the Mombasa-Voi-Taveta-Moshi-Arusha-Singida-Bujumbura trade route. President Ruto highlighted that the renovation would slash the transit distance between the Port of Mombasa and Bujumbura, Burundi, by a staggering 358 kilometers, offering a faster, more cost-effective alternative for regional exporters and importers.
Central to this vision is the construction of a new dry port in Voi. By shifting cargo handling and clearance away from the congested coast, Voi will function as an inland logistics hub. This infrastructure is expected to unlock the mining potential of Taita-Taveta by providing direct access to international markets for gemstones and industrial minerals.
It is also designed to boost agriculture by facilitating the rapid transport of products, supported by a newly launched Ksh.300 million modern market in Voi equipped with cold storage to mitigate post-harvest losses. Furthermore, the project is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs for local youth in logistics, warehousing, and transport services.
The railway is only one piece of a larger infrastructure puzzle. During his development tour, the President also launched the Ksh.950 million Voi Stadium, a 10,000-capacity facility designed to foster sports tourism and talent development.
Furthermore, the administration is overseeing the completion of several critical road networks, including the Mto Mwagodi-Wundanyi-Bura Junction road and the Illasit-Rombo-Taveta road, ensuring that the “last mile” of the trade corridor is fully paved and efficient.
