Kenya Railways Hands Big Relief To SGR Passengers Arriving In Mombasa

The Kenya Railways Corporation has made an announcement set to provide a huge sigh of relief to passengers using the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Mombasa who have been forced to use other means of transport to get from the train station to the coastal city itself.

Kenya Railways, while responding to queries from Kenyans, updated them on the status of the construction of the interlink connecting the SGR Mombasa Terminus to the Mombasa Old Town, which will be completed by May 31, 2024.

The plan will see the construction of a Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) line which will link the two points of entry and exit.

Outside the Mombasa SGR Terminus. /KENYA NEWS MEDIA

"Great news. The SGR-MGR Link project in Mombasa is on track to be completed by May 31st, 2024.

"This will significantly improve commuter rail services to Mombasa terminus, making travel much easier. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding," stated the railway firm.

The completion of the line will offer travellers a cheaper and easier option to get to Mombasa Old Town from the terminus in Miritini.

Currently, travellers still have to rely on taxis and matatus which have often been accused of overcharging travellers.

However, Kenya Railways is yet to reveal the charges that will be effected on the Interlink Line.

"The entire Link line is 17 kilometres. The project includes the construction of new MGR passenger stations at Mombasa Terminus, Miritini, Changamwe West, Changamwe East, Shimanzi and the Mombasa Central Station," Kenya Railways stated in March.

Meanwhile, plans are still on course to have the SGR line extended to Kisumu from Naivasha in the coming months, with 35 per cent of the project anticipated to be completed by December 2024, according to Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen.

The SGR was initially slated to run from Mombasa to Kisumu but the project which was started by former President Uhuru Kenyatta stalled in Nakuru owing to inadequate funds.

The first phase of the SGR which was built at a cost of more than Ksh350 billion was financed by the Chinese government.

Kenya Railways also revealed that it would be acquiring new wagons as the demand for train services and the Madaraka Express surged. Of an anticipated 20 more wagons, six will accommodate people with disabilities.