• Mombasa's commuter train service resumed on September 17, 2025, after modernization.
• The expanded 16.6 km line connects Mombasa's main district and central business area, serving 4,000 daily passengers.
• The project aims to alleviate road congestion, reduce transport costs, and bolster Mombasa's regional trade position.

Kenyan President William Ruto relaunched Mombasa's commuter rail service on September 17, following modernization efforts initiated in 2022. The infrastructure now spans 16.6 kilometers, comprising 2.8 kilometers of new construction and 13.8 kilometers of renovated track. This line will link Mombasa's major district and central business area to the capital, Nairobi, in minutes, a journey that previously took several hours by road. It is designed to transport 4,000 passengers daily.

The Mombasa Commuter Rail Service marks a bold step in transforming transport by linking the city centre with the SGR terminus at Miritini and other key stops, easing congestion and offering Kenyans a faster, safer, and more reliable transport system.

The rehabilitation of the… pic.twitter.com/ZpwznzpPPa

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) September 17, 2025

Mombasa, home to nearly 1.5 million residents, hosts Kenya's primary port. This position establishes it as a critical maritime gateway for East Africa. The city's logistical significance intensifies pressure on its road network and incurs additional costs. Kenya Railways projects the new rail service will cut travel fares from 300 shillings to 50 shillings ($2.3 to $0.3).

The rail revival aligns with a broader government plan. This plan involves extending the railway network from Naivasha to Malaba, passing through Kisumu, and across the Lamu Port corridor to South Sudan and Ethiopia. While aiming to reshape Kenya's transport system and reduce road network strain, this ambitious plan has faced financing challenges in recent years.

This article was initially published in French by Henoc Dossa

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum