Kenya Enhances Freight Services with 430 New Wagons

MOMBASA — In a significant move to boost the efficiency of the country’s freight services, the Kenyan government has added 430 new wagons to its railway fleet.

According to Kenya News Agency, this acquisition aims to alleviate the congestion at the port of Mombasa, addressing a backlog of 100,000 tonnes of steel pellets, coils, and other loose cargo.

During the commissioning ceremony in Mombasa, Transport PS Mohamed Daghar outlined the strategic benefits of the new wagons. They are designed to increase the capacity of both the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR), replacing aging wagons that have been in use for over four decades. With features that support the carriage of double-stacked containers and load capacities of 70 tonnes on the SGR and 64 tonnes on the MGR, these wagons are expected to significantly enhance operational efficiency.

The final batch of 20 wagons is scheduled to arrive by May, rounding up the total to 500 for the year, with 300 allocated to the SGR and 200 to the MGR. This follows the flagging off of the first 50 wagons by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in January.

Highlighting the importance of the Port of Mombasa’s efficiency, Daghar noted the strategic focus on reducing dwell time and ensuring the quick, efficient discharge of both containerized and conventional cargo. The government’s commitment to serving the transport needs of neighbouring landlocked countries through reliable rail services was also emphasized, underlining efforts to make the northern corridor to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo both competitive and efficient.

The rehabilitation of the country’s MGR line is nearing completion, with a significant section between Voi and Taveta, which connects to Northern Tanzania, still under work. This rehabilitation effort includes the acquisition of 1.4 kilometers of land to link the central railway station in Mombasa with the SGR terminus in Miritini, aiming for completion in May. This development promises to enhance passenger service between the Madaraka Express and stations along the SGR, providing an alternative mode of transportation for Mombasa residents through the construction of four mini-stations in Changamwe East, Changamwe West, Miritini, and Shimanzi, thus easing road transport pressure.