Kenya acquires 430 wagons to streamline freight services

The government has authorized the acquisition of 430 new wagons to enhance efficiency within the country’s freight services.

Additionally, the arrival of these wagons will facilitate the clearance of a backlog of 100,000 tonnes of steel pellets, coils, and other loose cargo at the port of Mombasa.

Speaking during the commissioning event in Mombasa, Mohamed Daghar, the State Department for Transport PS, emphasized that the new wagons would augment the capacity of both the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR). These new wagons, designed with various specifications and additional safety features, can accommodate double-stacked containers and possess load capacities of 70 and 64 tonnes for SGR and MGR, respectively.

The final batch of 20 wagons is scheduled to arrive in May, completing the acquisition of a total of 500 wagons for the year. Out of these, 300 will serve the SGR and 200 the MGR.

Earlier in January, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen flagged off an initial 50 wagons, emphasizing the importance of enhancing efficiency at the Port of Mombasa.

Daghar stressed the significance of utilizing the train system, whether through the SGR or MGR, for discharging bulk cargo like steel pellets and coils efficiently. The government remains committed to efficiently serving neighboring landlocked countries through rail transport for both containerized and conventional cargo.

Daghar further underscored the government’s commitment to maintaining the competitiveness and efficiency of the northern corridor, which extends from the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Efforts to rehabilitate the entire MGR line have been underway, with only a small section between Voi and Taveta remaining incomplete. Daghar disclosed that the State Department of Transport, in collaboration with the National Land Commission, has acquired 1.4 kilometers of land necessary to resume rehabilitation in Mombasa, connecting the central railway station with the SGR terminus in Miritini.

Upon completion in May, passengers utilizing the Madaraka Express passenger service train and the seven stations along the SGR will have access to the MGR line.

Additionally, construction of four mini-stations in Changamwe East, Changamwe West, Miritini, and Shimanzi aims to enhance commuter movement for Mombasa residents, offering an alternative mode of transport and alleviating pressure on road transportation.

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