Nine years after it was put into operation, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway(SGR) has become an important transport artery driving Kenya's economic growth and regional connectivity in East Africa.

The railway has significantly improved Kenya's transport network, reducing logistics costs, increasing transport efficiency, and facilitating trade flows both within the country and across East Africa. It has played a key role in supporting foreign trade, industrial growth, livelihoods, and job creation. As of April 30, 2026, the railway had handled more than 18 million passenger trips and transported over 48 million tonnes of cargo.

Photo shows the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway.

In March 2026, the Nairobi-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway, a key westward extension of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, reached a new milestone with the launch of Phase II construction. Running from Naivasha to Kisumu and linking to the Lake Victoria port area, the project is seen as a crucial step toward strengthening East Africa's railway network and advancing regional connectivity.

Speaking to Xinhua, Song Hailiang, chairman of CCCC, said Phase II of the Nairobi-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway will further enhance Kenya's transport system, improve freight efficiency between the Port of Mombasa and inland regions, spur development along the corridor, and boost industries such as commerce, tourism, and logistics.

More importantly, he said, the railway is expected to extend to Malaba and connect with the wider East African rail network, further reinforcing Kenya's role as a regional gateway and logistics hub while strengthening connectivity with landlocked countries such as Uganda.

Song noted that Phase II of the Nairobi-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway represents not only an extension of the railway but also a comprehensive upgrade in capabilities and development approaches. Greater emphasis has been placed on integrating railway construction with industrial development, urban development, and clean energy along the route to maximize overall benefits.

The project will also make greater use of digital and smart technologies, including building information modeling (BIM) and smart construction site management systems, to improve efficiency and quality. In addition, it will strengthen cooperation with Kenyan universities and vocational institutions to train more local technical and management professionals. By the end of 2025, the project had trained 1,919 personnel for Kenya Railways.