The Kenya Railway Corporation (KRC) is finalizing the operationalization of the Sh4.2B Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus and Mombasa Central Railway Station 26-kilometre Link Line Project.
While briefing the National Assembly Committee on Implementation, led by Budalangi Member of Parliament (MP), Raphael Wanjala, during an inspection tour of SGR operations in Mombasa, KRC Managing Director (MD) Philip Mainga said that that the project is ready for launching.
Initiated in September 2022, the project experienced delays due to land acquisition challenges. The Ministry of Transport subsequently allocated Sh1.1 billion to the National Land Commission, to facilitate land acquisition, paving the way for the rehabilitation of the Mombasa Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line to Miritini.
Once operational, passengers using the Madaraka Express and the seven SGR stations arriving at or departing from Mombasa will be able to connect to the CBD via the MGR line.
The project also includes the rehabilitation of the historic Mombasa Central Railway Station and the construction of four mini-stations in Changamwe East, Changamwe West, Miritini, and Shimanzi
The project also entails the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the SGR and MGR platforms, a locomotive turntable and a railway bridge with a length of 480 meters across the Makupa Causeway.
The commuter train will 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.
The MD affirmed that the Corporation is competitive and has been rebranded. He encouraged Kenyans to travel by rail to experience the transformation.
“I also want to invite them to see the volumes of cargo we are moving every day from the Port of Mombasa. But, importantly, is to assure this Committee that from this terminus, we have completed a 26-kilometer line to the Island,” he stated.
Chairman of the Committee Raphael Wanjala expressed the team’s satisfaction with KR freight and passengers’ operations as they marked eight years. Since inception, the Madaraka Express has transported over 15.3 million passengers and 39.78 million tonnes of cargo.
He encouraged the Corporation to increase the number of cargo and passenger trains from 14 per day to 18 to reach the maximum and enhance trade between the Port of Mombasa, other parts of the country and the neighbouring landlocked countries.
“They are not making any loss as Kenyans have believed. They are doing very well, and we have only three years to go before the repayment of the loan we took from the People’s Republic of China,” he stated.
The Chairman also dispelled rumors that the Port of Mombasa was mortgaged for the loan to construct the Standard Gauge Railway.
“KRC stands on its own and it has its own money and it’s repaying its loans without any problems,” he said, urging the corporation to extend the SGR up to the Malaba border.
MP Mandera South Abdul Haro lauded the freight operations saying the country is a step ahead in comparison to the neighbouring countries. He appealed to the National Government to support the corporation in reaching its full capacity.
Other members of the Committee present were Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), Cynthia Muge (Nandi County), Memusi Kanchory (Kajiado Central), Johnson Naicca (Mumias West) and Kibet Komingoi (Bureti).
By Sadik Hassan
