KENYA has welcomed a significant addition to its railway infrastructure with the arrival of 430 wagons from China. The shipment, comprising 230 wagons for the Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line and 200 wagons for the Metre Gauge Railway line, aims to bolster freight operations across the country.
Mohamed Daghar, principal secretary at the Ministry of Roads and Transport, highlighted the importance of these wagons in improving cargo movement and reducing road congestion.
‘Given that Kenya’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the region, we are required to make strategic investments in the transport and logistics sector,’ said Daghar during the flagging off ceremony at Mombasa Port.
All the wagons boast a capacity of 70 tonnes or higher, facilitating the transportation of heavy containerised cargo, thereby mitigating damage to roads.
Philip Mainga, the Kenya Railways managing director, emphasised the railway’s commitment to providing reliable and efficient freight services.
‘In total, we are procuring 500 wagons, tailored for operations on both the Standard Gauge Railway and the Metre Gauge Railway lines,’ Mainga stated. ‘These wagons will ensure seamless transportation of cargo from Mombasa Port to destinations like Kampala through our transshipment facility at Naivasha.’
The arrival of these wagons follows closely on the heels of Kenya’s receipt of 50 additional wagons from China in February to support SGR freight operations.
Data from the Ministry of Transport underscores the growing importance of railways in cargo transportation. Cargo volumes via the metre gauge railway saw a significant 21 percent increase from 2022 to 2023, reaching 1,000,955 tonnes. Similarly, SGR cargo transportation witnessed a 7 percent rise to 6.53 million tonnes in 2023, accompanied by a 12 percent increase in passenger numbers.
Kenya’s investment in railway infrastructure reflects its commitment to sustainable and efficient transportation systems, essential for supporting the country’s economic growth trajectory.