Kenya’s rail transport has received a significant boost following the launch of the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service by President William Ruto. The newly unveiled service links Mombasa city directly to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), providing a crucial city–SGR connection that is expected to ease congestion, improve mobility, and enhance trade flows within the region. This development marks an important step toward addressing long-standing gaps in the country’s urban and intercity transport network.
The project includes the rehabilitation of a 13.8-kilometre metre-gauge railway line from Kilometre Zero to Miritini, alongside the addition of a new 2.8-kilometre link to the SGR. This integration ensures seamless connectivity between Mombasa town and the Madaraka Express. With capacity to transport up to 4,000 passengers daily, the commuter service is designed to decongest the city, support efficient movement, and reinforce Mombasa’s position as a key hub for both trade and tourism in East Africa.
Recent transport sector data highlights the timeliness of this investment. According to the latest Leading Economic Indicators, SGR passenger traffic rose sharply from 183,359 in May 2025 to 226,717 in June, with revenues increasing from KSh 325.9 million to KSh 373.9 million. Cargo volumes also grew significantly over the same period, moving from 586,000 metric tonnes (MT) to 732,500 MT. These numbers underscore the rising demand for rail transport and the importance of expanding capacity.
President Ruto emphasized the wider economic and environmental benefits of the project, noting that shifting more passengers from road to rail will lower transport costs, reduce emissions, and enhance safety. Efficient, safe, and sustainable transport systems, he said, remain the backbone of a strong economy, and this launch demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to developing infrastructure that supports growth and competitiveness.
The launch, however, comes amid mixed performance in other parts of the transport sector. Cargo service revenue dipped slightly from KSh 1.6 billion to KSh 1.5 billion, reflecting pricing pressures in freight. Similarly, passenger traffic on the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) dropped from 225,899 in May to 202,715 in June, with revenues falling from KSh 12.8 million to KSh 11.6 million. These figures point to a shifting balance in passenger and freight preferences, with the SGR and new commuter links increasingly taking center stage.
At the Port of Mombasa, overall cargo throughput declined from 3.8 million MT to 3.5 million MT between May and June. While exports rose slightly to 420,200 MT and imports fell to 2.7 million MT, transshipment traffic showed strong growth, increasing from 269,800 MT to 333,900 MT. This trend signals the port’s growing role as a regional trade gateway, strengthened further by the new rail link that will facilitate faster, more reliable movement of goods and people.
