A sharp political dispute has erupted over media coverage of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension after Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai launched a scathing attack on The Standard newspaper, accusing it of bias and advancing ethnic narratives.
The remarks follow a report by The Standard Group questioning the rising cost of extending the SGR from Naivasha to Kisumu and Malaba.
The publication highlighted a jump in construction costs from Sh693 million per kilometre to as high as Sh1.75 billion, with the total project estimated at between Sh500 billion and Sh650 billion.
Reacting to the report, Alai claimed the newspaper was unfairly targeting President William Ruto’s development agenda, particularly projects linked to the western Kenya region.
He alleged that the coverage was influenced by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and accused the media house of undermining efforts to expand infrastructure.
In social media remarks, Alai dismissed the publication’s position, arguing that critics were failing to see the economic value of extending the railway to Kisumu.
He further accused unnamed journalists of pushing what he described as divisive narratives, claiming the reporting lacked objectivity.
The MCA also singled out journalists he blamed for the coverage, asserting they were no longer acting in a professional capacity.
He called for what he termed as accountability in the media, urging the public and political leaders to challenge reporting they perceive as biased.
Alai went further to label The Standard a “hostile” media player, alleging that its reporting amounted to an “economic war” against the government and verbal attacks on its leadership.
He insisted that boundaries should be drawn in how such reporting is treated in public discourse.
His remarks have added a political dimension to an already contentious debate over the SGR extension, which has faced scrutiny over cost escalation, policy shifts, and legal challenges.
Critics of the project have questioned the significant increase in per-kilometre costs and the government’s reversal from earlier criticism of the railway’s economic viability.
However, the government has maintained that the project is central to Kenya’s long-term development strategy.
Speaking during the launch of the railway extension, President Ruto defended the investment, stating that the SGR has already proven its value in improving transport efficiency since the completion of the Mombasa–Naivasha phase.
He noted that the next phase will cover 264 kilometres from Naivasha to Kisumu, with an additional link to Kisumu Port, and a further 107 kilometres from Kisumu to Malaba.
According to the President, the project is expected to enhance regional trade and position Kenya as a key logistics hub in East and Central Africa.