President Uhuru Kenyatta officially opened the 472 km Standard Gauge Railway between the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa and Nairobi on May 31, travelling on the inaugural Madaraka Express passenger service. The previous evening, he had launched an inaugural freight train from Port Reitz in Mombasa, waving a giant flag as choirs performed patriotic songs.

Image credit: www.capitalfm.co.ke

Kenyatta said the SGR would attract investment by bringing down freight and passenger transport costs. ‘The foundations we lay today will lead us to a new chapter of industrialization’, he said, adding that the government would fast-track the establishment of special economic zones along the route.

Kenya Railway Corp said sending a 20 ft container between Mombasa and Nairobi would cost KSh50 000 by SGR, compared to KSh90 000 by road, and with the transit time cut from between 16 h and 24 h to a maximum of 8 h.

There will be two types of Madaraka Express passenger service, with the Intercity Train running non-stop from Mombasa to Nairobi and the County Train calling at the intermediate stations of Mariakani, Miasenyi, Voi, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi, Emali and Athi River.