Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has announced that the government plans to begin transporting up to 4,000 passengers daily using a new commuter train service between Miritini and Mombasa Island. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to ease traffic congestion along the busy Makupa Causeway, which connects the mainland to the island city.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Mombasa railway station in Mvita Constituency, Chirchir confirmed that the commuter rail service is ready for commissioning and is expected to be officially launched next week. President William Ruto is set to preside over the ceremony, marking the introduction of the second commuter train service in the country.
“We are determined to roll out a number of commuter trains, with the official launch slated for the end of next week,”
said the CS.
“This project is a game-changer for urban mobility in Mombasa, particularly in terms of decongesting road traffic.”
The ministry has earmarked September 17 as the tentative date for the commissioning ceremony, which will take place at the Mombasa railway station. The new commuter service will connect the Mombasa terminal to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus at Miritini in Jomvu Constituency, significantly improving last-mile connectivity for passengers arriving in the city by train.
“The main aim of these commuter trains is to streamline movement between the SGR terminus in Jomvu and central Mombasa, particularly the island,”
Chirchir noted.
“We have invested heavily in ensuring passengers experience a seamless journey to and from the SGR.”
According to the CS, the government has allocated Sh6 billion towards the development of supporting infrastructure and facilities for the commuter service. Of this, nearly Sh3.5 billion was spent specifically on the railway line.
Chirchir, who was accompanied by Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar, revealed that a clean-up and final preparations are currently underway at the railway terminals in anticipation of the Head of State’s visit.
“This is a critical area where the government has placed significant emphasis in order to enhance convenience and reliability for commuters,”
he added.
The launch of the Miritini-Mombasa commuter train marks a major milestone in the government’s efforts to modernize urban transport and enhance accessibility within Kenya’s key cities.
