President William Ruto will on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, commission the long-awaited Mombasa Commuter Rail Service, a project designed to transform travel between the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus in Miritini and Mombasa’s Central Business District (CBD).
The last-mile connection will ease the nearly 14-kilometre journey from the SGR terminus to the city centre, offering commuters seamless “Park and Ride” and “Drop and Ride” options. Kenya Railways says the service will directly link passengers arriving on the Madaraka Express train from Nairobi to Mombasa CBD.
The commuter train will make stops at Miritini, Changamwe West, Changamwe East, Shimanzi, Mazeras, and finally Mombasa CBD.
Government Backs Major Investment in Public Transport
During an inspection tour, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving public transport.
“Upon commencement of operations, the service is projected to transport approximately 4,000 commuters daily,” Chirchir said.
The Ksh.4.2 billion project, completed in August 2025, included construction of new passenger stations in Mombasa town and Miritini, upgrading 16.6 kilometres of metre-gauge railway, and building a 2.3-kilometre railway bridge across the Makupa Causeway.
From Taxi Rides to Train Connectivity
Previously, passengers arriving at the Miritini SGR terminus, located about 15 kilometres from Mombasa’s city centre, depended mainly on taxis for the last-mile connection.
Kenya Railways announced that the new Mombasa Commuter Rail Service will feature a car park with space for more than 100 vehicles to serve travellers.
“The project also includes a ‘Park and Ride’ option where customers can park their vehicles and ride the train, and a ‘Drop and Ride’ option where public service vehicles can drop and pick up customers,” the agency stated.
The project began in September 2022 but stalled midway due to land acquisition disputes. To resolve the impasse, the Ministry of Transport allocated Ksh.1.1 billion to the National Land Commission to compensate landowners along a 1.4-kilometre stretch needed for the railway.
Now complete, the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service is set to transform urban mobility in the coastal city by cutting travel time, easing 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 last-mile connectivity into Mombasa town,” said Kenya Railways Chairman Abdi Bare.
