Mombasa, Kenya — President William Ruto has launched the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service, a transformative project aimed at addressing congestion, delays, and unreliable road transport between Mombasa’s central business district (CBD) and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus at Miritini.
The new service is expected to deliver faster, safer, and more affordable travel for thousands of commuters and visitors. Previously, passengers were paying up to Ksh 200 for the road connection to Miritini. The train now provides a cheaper alternative while significantly cutting commuting time.
“This link matters because it provides the much-needed first and last mile connection for commuters, visitors, and tourists,” President Ruto said at the launch. “Let us remember that rail is not only efficient, but it is also safe.”
The commuter trains will stop at Miritini, Changamwe West, Changamwe East, Shimanzi, Mazeras, and the Mombasa CBD, easing movement along the city’s busiest corridors. With a daily capacity of up to 4,000 passengers, the service is expected to:
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Reduce gridlocks in the coastal city.
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Lower road accidents.
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Enhance productivity by easing commuting.
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Provide residents and tourists with a reliable, affordable travel option.
The project also carries deep historical symbolism. The Mombasa terminal sits at Kilometre Zero, the starting point of the Kenya-Uganda Railway nearly 130 years ago.
“This launch is not just about transport; it connects us to our history while opening new possibilities for the future,” Ruto said.
The service is designed to complement the Madaraka Express, which already ferries about 2.6 million passengers annually. Officials expect the commuter link to boost passenger numbers, improve safety, and save lives by reducing road carnage.
The initiative also aligns with the government’s broader strategy to expand Kenya’s rail network, extending from Naivasha to Malaba through Kisumu and linking with the Lamu Port-South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.
With the launch, Mombasa joins Nairobi as a key beneficiary of commuter rail solutions, underscoring Kenya’s push to modernize transport infrastructure and strengthen regional connectivity.
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