Kenya: Commissioning of the Riruta-Ngong Metre Gauge Railway Line

In mid-December 2023, H.E. President William Ruto, PhD, commissioned the construction of the Riruta-Ngong metre gauge railway line, which, once completed, will have the capacity to transport 10,000 people daily.

President Ruto highlighted that Kenyans travelling on the Rituta-Karen-Bulbul-Ngong route will save up to 50 percent of their transport budget, funds that can be allocated to other needs. The project is also expected to create a range of employment opportunities, both skilled and unskilled, direct and indirect, particularly for the youth.

Following the completion of the Riruta-Ngong section, the Ministry of Roads and Transport plans to extend the line to Kiserian and then back to Nairobi via Ongata Rongai.

This railway line forms a part of the Nairobi Masterplan, aimed at transforming transport within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.

The extension of this line into Kajiado follows the rehabilitation of the Thika-Nanyuki, Longonot-Malaba, and Nakuru-Kisumu metre gauge lines, significantly enhancing the movement of people and goods.

The Ministry has facilitated a connection between the Standard Gauge Railway and the Metre Gauge Railway in Naivasha, ensuring seamless transit of wagons to and from Uganda.

Despite the government offering transporters the option between the SGR and road transport, rail cargo movement has increased from 4.8 million tonnes when the current government came into power to 7.8 million tonnes. The target is to reach 8.1 million tonnes by the end of 2024.

Notably, for the first time in Kenya’s history, goods have been transported directly from Mombasa to Mwanza, Tanzania.

The Bus Rapid Transport system is also progressing, with the contractor scheduled to commence work in 2024.