President William Ruto has promised to expand the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Uganda.

The President said the agreement was reached following discussions with Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC.

Ruto said the move was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the four countries.

“We agreed that the SGR would be extended from Naivasha to Uganda, Rwanda and DRC so that in a few years, they too can use the SGR whenever they come to Mombasa and we can use the SGR. whenever we want to go to these countries,” he said.

The President said infrastructure like SGR is important to integrate the region.

“As leaders, MPs and East Africans, the integration of Africa will be led by the integration of East Africa. East Africa is the most progressive economic community in Africa today,” he said.

The deputies traveled by standard gauge railway to Mombasa for the 14th East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games.

The President commended them for using the SGR instead of opting for air transport.

The decision to travel to the coastal city by train is part of cost-cutting measures put in place by Parliament.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula on Tuesday ordered SGR reservations for all MPs, including himself.

“Today, MPs from across Kenya are traveling to Mombasa for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Parliamentary Games, which brings together the parliaments of eight African Community states. ‘East (EAC): Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, South Sudan and Somalia’, Wetang’ula said.

The government has implemented a series of measures to reduce spending.

In June, the government announced it would cut various costs, including: dissolving at least 47 crown corporations with overlapping functions.

The government also removed budgetary provisions for confidential budgets of various executive offices, among other measures.

Although austerity measures aim to reduce public spending, questions have been raised about their effects on Kenyans.