Mombasa – Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) transforms Kenya's transportation sector, offering faster and more efficient alternatives for both passengers and freight.
Since taking office in 2017, the railway has significantly promoted trade, reduced road congestion, increased regional connectivity, and solidified its role as one of the most important infrastructure projects in the country's history.
Built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) at a cost of $3.6 billion (£2.7 billion), the railway was primarily funded through loans from China Export Bank. Work began in 2014 and by May 31, 2017, the railway had officially been launched by then President Uhurukenyatta.
Designed to replace the outdated meter-gauge railway built during British colonial rule, the SGR spans 472 kilometers (368 miles) from the coastal city of Mombasa to Nairobi, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities.
The Nairobi – Naivasha extension, which adds another 120 km, was completed in 2019, further expanding the range of railways to Kenya's interior.
Plans remain to expand the line to Kisumu and Uganda, but the financial challenges are slowing progress. Since its launch, SGR has provided more efficient means of transportation than passengers and freight. It traveled between Mombasa and Nairobi, which once took up to 12 hours on the road, and now it takes just 4.5 hours on the train.
In freight transport, there were also significant improvements as the goods reached their destination within 10 hours, which was significantly improved compared to the two-day road trip. Companies, especially those relying on imports and exports, benefit from a faster, more cost-effective cargo movement.
The railway also boosted trade in landlocked countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan.
The impact of railways exceeds transportation efficiency. By reducing the number of heavy trucks on the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway, SGR has helped to reduce traffic congestion and road maintenance costs. The transition from road to rail also contributes to the reduction in accidents, making transporting both passengers and freight safer.
SGR has played an important role in job creation and skill development. During construction, over 30,000 jobs were created for Kenyan workers, many of whom received specialized training in railway technology and operations.
Since its launch, the railway has been hiring thousands of people in a variety of roles, from operation to security to maintenance.
It further boosted Kenya's tourism sector by making travel between Nairobi and Mombasa easier and more affordable. Popular attractions like Tsavo National Park, located along the route, are gaining more visitors and benefiting the local tourism industry.
Despite its success, SGR was not without challenges. China's reliance on loans has sparked concerns about Kenya's debt burden, and critics have questioned the project's financial sustainability.
There was also controversy over policies that first called for importers to use rail to transport freight instead of trucks, leading to tensions with truck operators and logistics businesses. Furthermore, the expected expansion to Uganda, which aims to strengthen regional trade, remains stagnant due to funding constraints.
However, the Kenyan government continues to explore ways to expand the railway in hopes of completing the western expansion and integrating the SGR into the broader East African Railway Master Plan.
If successful, this expansion will not only strengthen Kenya's position as a regional transport hub, but will further expand the lock on economic opportunities across East Africa.
