Kenya Marks 8 Years of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)

Celebrating Growth, Partnership, and a Bold Vision for the Future

Nairobi Terminus, June 10, 2025 Kenya Railways, in partnership with the Chinese Embassy and Africa Star Railway Operation Company (Afristar), commemorated the 8th anniversary of the Madaraka Express in a ceremony that celebrated the railway’s transformation from a bold idea to a critical pillar of national infrastructure.

🚄 From Doubt to a Defining National Asset

In his opening address, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga reflected on the project's early days:

Since its launch, the SGR has grown into a reliable and transformative transport corridor.

• Phase 1 (Mombasa–Nairobi) was completed in 2017.

• Phase 2A (Nairobi–Naivasha) followed in 2019.

Today, the entire system is fully operational, serving both passengers and freight while reducing pressure on Kenya’s highways.

Mainga credited the unsung heroes of the night shifts Kenya Railways' staff working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure safe, smooth daily operations. He also celebrated the increasing number of women drivers now confidently operating the locomotives, reflecting the organization’s drive toward inclusion and empowerment.

📈 Growth by the Numbers

The SGR’s impact is visible in its performance:

• Passenger numbers have grown from 200,000 in year one to 2.5 million annually.

• Freight haulage has increased from 500,000 tons to 6.3 million tons in 2024, with a target of 7.7 million tons in 2025.

• Over 15.3 million passengers and 47 million tons of cargo have been moved since inception.

• Daily services now include three passenger trains and 16 total train trips, easing pressure from over 120 buses and 1,000 trucks each day.

🇰🇪 Honoring Legacy, Advancing Vision

Kenya Railways Board Chairman Abdi Bare placed the SGR in the broader context of national development:

Chairman Bare confirmed that the government remains fully committed to expanding the SGR:

• Plans to extend the line to Kisumu and Malaba are progressing under Phase 2B and 2C.

• The Board is working to address last-mile delivery challenges, especially for freight users.

• A new Strategic Plan 2024–2025, co-authored with Afristar, prioritizes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) outcomes.

🇨🇳 A Flagship of China-Africa Cooperation

In her remarks, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Guo Haiyan praised the SGR as a model project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI):

She commended both Kenyan and Chinese teams for maintaining a stellar safety record over eight years, attributing it to professionalism, trust, and deep cooperation.

✉️ Commemorative Stamps & ESG Report Launched

To mark the occasion:

• Commemorative Madaraka Express Stamps were officially unveiled by Chairman Abdi Bare and Ambassador Guo Haiyan, with participation from John Tonui (Postmaster General and CEO of the Postal Corporation of Kenya) and You Shujun (GM, CRBC).

• The 2024–2025 Kenya Railways–Afristar ESG Report was launched, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainability, accountability, and inclusive development.

🎂 Cake Cutting & Closing

The event concluded with a celebratory cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the shared journey of Kenya and China in delivering modern, efficient, and safe rail transport for generations to come.

🎯 Looking Ahead

With over 2.6 million passengers and 7.7 million tons of cargo targeted in 2025, Kenya Railways reaffirmed its vision of becoming East Africa’s leading logistics and mobility enabler.

As the Madaraka Express rolls into its ninth year, the SGR stands as a testament to what can be achieved through strategic partnerships, public commitment, and visionary infrastructure planning.

📬 Exclusive Interview: Postal Corporation CEO Eyes Last-Mile Logistics Revival Through Kenya Railways Partnership

In an exclusive interview during the 8th anniversary celebration of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Mr. John Tonui, thereflected on the historic journey of Kenya’s transport and communication sectors and shared bold ambitions for future collaboration with Kenya Railways.

🕰 A Parallel Legacy Since the 1900s

This long-standing historical alignment, he noted, should be revitalized through modern strategic partnerships to solve current logistical challenges.

🚚 Reimagining Last-Mile Delivery in the Digital Age

When asked about future expectations, Mr. John Tonui was clear:

He envisions a seamless delivery pipeline where cargo arriving by rail from the coast is swiftly transitioned to the postal service for distribution across the country especially to remote and underserved regions.

🔄 From Legacy to Logistics

Mr. John Tonui’s remarks echo a growing trend across Africa, where traditional state institutions are embracing transformation to compete in the logistics and e-commerce space. With Kenya’s digital economy on the rise, a strategic partnership between Kenya Railways and the Postal Corporation of Kenya could significantly improve service delivery, especially for SMEs, government agencies, and online retailers.

As SGR continues to move millions of passengers and tons of cargo annually, Mr. John Tonui’s vision signals a rebirth for the postal service positioning it not just as a mail handler, but as a crucial player in Kenya’s evolving transport and logistics ecosystem.