The rehabilitation of the transformative Mombasa Island-Miritini Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line and construction of Mombasa MGR station has been completed ahead of its commissioning by the Head of State in mid-September.
The project which commenced in 2022 was slowed down by land acquisition challenges, however, the Ministry of Transport allocated Sh1.1 billion to the National Land Commission (NLC) for compensation paving the way for its completion.
Speaking during an inspection tour, Roads and Transport CS Davis Chirchir said the commuter train is expected to transport 4000 people in a day, thus reducing traffic gridlocks on the roads and facilitating seamless traffic flow.
The project is now ready for use, upon its official launch passengers using the Madaraka Express passenger service train and the seven stations along the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), either arriving or departing from Mombasa will be able to use the MGR line to the Mombasa CBD station.
“The works will facilitate connectivity of the line between the SGR line and the station here. So that we can facilitate movement of people,” he said.
“There has been significant investments in this last mile connector to ensure that customers arriving at the SGR station are able to get connection into the island,” added the CS.
The second part of the project involves the rehabilitation of the Mombasa Central Railway Station and the construction of four mini-stations in Changamwe East, Changamwe West, Miritini, and Shimanzi.
The project also entailed the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the SGR and MGR platforms, a locomotive turntable and a railway bridge with a length of 480 metres across the Makupa Causeway.
“This line has seen an investment of over Sh6 billion in all the infrastructures and supporting facilities. The line alone has cost us about Sh3.4 billion,” said the CS accompanied by Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar and Kenya Railways Corporation Managing Director Philip Mainga.
The CS also noted that the government is keen on last mile railway connection to ensure convenience of travelers.
“We will also be looking at the last mile from Syokimau to the Nairobi railway station. That way we can basically facilitate and give convenience and therefore accelerate the usage of the railway infrastructure,” he said.
The new railway line that starts at Miritini is a boost to small-scale traders, who usually travel to the island and Kongowea market for products.
The commuter train will also enable Mombasa residents to have an alternative mode of transport thus easing pressure on road transport.
Commuter rail is part of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT) that the Ministry of Roads and Transport is implementing including the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) for travelers to move safely and efficiently.
At the same time, the CS said construction of a bypass at the Kwa Jomvu junction has commenced after stalling for eight years and the Kwa Jomvu-Mariakani works are progressing well.
NLC had allocated Sh300 million to compensate Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in the Sh10 billion Lot One Mombasa, Kwa Jomvu Highway project, which is now 94 percent complete.
The project had stalled at the Jomvu Kuu junction due to a prolonged land acquisition dispute, while in the Nyali-Mtwapa road, the CS said Sh4 billion has been released to compensate PAPs.
By Sadik Hassan
