Kenya Railways has completed the construction of the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service, easing traffic congestion and connecting Madaraka Express passengers directly to Mombasa’s city centre.
The Ksh.4.2 billion project links the Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus in Miritini with the Mombasa Central Railway Station.
In the course of construction, engineers built new passenger terminals at Miritini and Mombasa town, restored 16.6 km of metre-gauge railway track, and built a 2.3-kilometre Makupa Causeway bridge. Kenya Railways also intended to build two new stations in Changamwe West and Changamwe East.
Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar confirmed that the line had undergone trial runs for testing to establish safety and that passenger operations would start soon.
“Our goal is to reduce commuting time, ease road congestion, cut carbon emissions, and provide safe, reliable, and affordable transport for all,” Daghar said.
Boosting Connectivity and Passenger Convenience
The new service is expected to carry more than 1,000 daily commuters and will complement Nairobi–Mombasa Madaraka Express passenger service.
“In addition to offering last-mile connectivity for Madaraka Express Passenger Service customers, residents living along the line’s corridor will use the train in their daily movement,” Kenya Railways noted.
Previously, passengers arriving at the Miritini SGR terminus – located about 15 kilometres from Mombasa’s city centre – relied mostly on taxis for the last-mile connection.
Kenya Railways announced that the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service will include a car park with space for over 100 vehicles to accommodate travellers.
“The project also includes a “Park and Ride” option where customers can park their vehicles and ride the train and the “Drop and Ride” option where public service vehicles can drop and pick up customers.”
The project began in September 2022 but stalled midway due to land acquisition disputes. To resolve the issue, the Ministry of Transport allocated Ksh.1.1 billion to the National Land Commission to compensate landowners along a 1.4-kilometre stretch required for the railway.
Now complete, the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service is set to transform travel in the coastal city by cutting travel time, reducing road congestion, and improving access for thousands of passengers every day.
“The schedule has been aligned to ensure that every time the Madaraka Express Passenger Service train arrives, the link train will be on standby to offer the last mile connectivity into Mombasa town,” said Kenya Railways Chairman Abdi Bare.
“This same link train will have brought passengers who will travel aboard the Madaraka Express Passenger Service train.”
