Railway from Mombasa to Nairobi

The first phase of the railway project between Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya is set for completion in June 2017. The 427 kilometre rail line between the country’s capital (Nairobi) and its largest port (Mombasa) will transform the East African infrastructure landscape.

The railway line is expected to shorten the journey between the two cities from 12 hours to four hours, with passenger trains expected to travel at 120km/h. The new railway will reduce congestion on Kenya’s crowded road network and promote tourism in the country. Freight trains will also alleviate the freight congestion on the roads and are expected to carry around 25 million tonnes per year.

Ultimately, the railway line will link Mombasa with other major east African cities such as Kampala, in Uganda, and Juba, in South Sudan. The railway promises to see Uganda, a landlocked country, receive its cargo from the port of Mombasa in a timely and less costly manner.

The construction of the mega modern railway is Kenya’s most expensive construction project to date.