Kenya Railways MD Hailed as Mombasa Commuter Rail Service Nears Unveiling
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga has again added to his milestone achievements following the completion of the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service project.
The completion means passengers arriving in Mombasa via the Madaraka Express will soon enjoy smoother and cheaper transfers into the city centre, as Kenya Railways prepares to launch the long-awaited Mombasa Commuter Rail service.
This is seen as another milestone achievement for Kenya Railways that has effectively completed the Ksh4.2billion project.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga has confirmed that the rail line is ready for commissioning.
” This will also help link the current Metre Gauge Railway ( MGR), restoring access between the port city’s historic station and its modern SGR hub,” Mainga said.
It’s construction kicked off September 2022 but was marred with land disputes that threatened to derail it.
It includes four new mini-stations in Miritini,Shimanzi,Changamwe East,and Changamwe West. A 480- meter railway bridge.
The new rail line will connect the Miritini SGR terminus directly to the Mombasa CBD, ending years of reliance on matatus, taxis, and boda bodas for the last 11-kilometre stretch.
In a statement on Wednesday, Kenya Railways said the service would ease movement for families, tourists, traders, and students, and reduce the cost and time spent on road transfers.
“No more long, costly transfers from Mombasa Terminus and easier movement for families, tourists, traders and students,” the statement read.
The agency added that the project is not just a transport improvement but “a win for the people of Mombasa and all Kenyans who travel by railway.”
“This is more than a transport upgrade, it’s a win for the people of Mombasa and all Kenyans who travel by railway. The countdown to launch has begun. The change you’ve been waiting for is almost here,” the statement read further.
The new line is part of Kenya Railways’ wider plan to improve urban mobility and better connect railway services with city transport systems.
The upcoming Mombasa service will resemble the Nairobi Commuter Rail network, which has been credited with easing city traffic and offering affordable transport alternatives.
The Mombasa Commuter Rail will operate several trips a day between the Miritini SGR station and the old Mombasa railway station, with stops at key locations.
Infrastructure works are ongoing, including upgrading platforms, installing modern ticketing systems, and testing refurbished Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains.
Although Kenya Railways did not reveal the official launch date, the project is nearing completion and is expected to boost tourism and trade in Mombasa by making travel more efficient and reliable.
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