President William Ruto has announced that the government will inject an additional Ksh41 billion into the expansion of the Mombasa Port.
Speaking on September 17 during the commissioning of the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service, Ruto said the project will be completed by the end of the year.
“The government has committed Ksh41 billion to expand the Port of Mombasa, making it more efficient, bigger, and better,” the President stated.
The President added that the government will allocate resources to complete road projects in Mombasa County.
Ruto Speaks on Mombasa Commuter Rail Service
The President also highlighted the significance of the newly launched commuter rail link between the Mombasa central business district (CBD) and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus in Miritini.
He described the service as timely, stating that it addresses the long-standing challenges of traffic congestion, delays, and unreliable road transport in the coastal city.
“With this new service, journeys will be faster, safer, and more predictable. It will cut commuting time between Mombasa town and the SGR terminal, reduce road gridlocks, lower accidents and costs, and provide residents and visitors with a modern, affordable, and reliable travel option,” Ruto said.
In the bigger picture, Ruto said the project is part of the government’s ambitious strategy to expand Kenya’s rail network from Naivasha to Malaba through Kisumu, and across the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor.
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The commuter rail will stop at key points, including Miritini, Changamwe West, Changamwe East, Shimanzi, Mazeras, and the Mombasa CBD, serving thousands of daily passengers.
The rehabilitation of the 13.8km metre-gauge railway from Kilometre Zero to Miritini, alongside the construction of a new 2.8km link to the SGR, has now bridged the gap that once separated Mombasa city from the national rail network.
He added that an average of 2.6 million passengers use the Madaraka Express each year, and the new commuter link is expected to boost numbers, enhance safety, and save lives by reducing road accidents.
“Let us also remember that rail is not only efficient, but it is also safe. With an average of 2.6 million passengers already using the Madaraka Express each year, this commuter link will boost passenger numbers, improve safety, and save lives by reducing road carnage,” Ruto said.
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Efficient for Commuters
Ruto stated that the link is vital as it provides the much needed first and last mile connection for commuters, visitors, and tourists.
With a daily capacity of up to 4,000 passengers, it will ease pressure on roads, improve the commuting experience, and make the Madaraka Express more accessible and convenient.
He added that by shifting more passengers from road to rail, the country will lower maintenance costs, cut emissions, and improve transport safety, while also strengthening Mombasa’s position as a hub for trade and tourism and reinforcing Kenya’s role as the gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a market of 1.4 billion people.
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