Kenya Railways has posted its highest-ever monthly cargo volumes, marking a new milestone under the leadership of Managing Director Philip Mainga.
The corporation transported 695,000 tonnes of cargo on the Madaraka Express Freight Service in November, surpassing the previous record of 640,000 tonnes achieved in October — itself the highest haul since the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) began operations in 2017.
Mainga told Our Publication that the sustained growth reflects targeted reforms and operational discipline aimed at repositioning Kenya Railways as a reliable pillar in national and regional logistics.
“The movement of this tonnage is equivalent to removing thousands of trucks from our highways, easing congestion and demonstrating the railway’s expanding role in freight transport,” he said.
He noted that October’s haul eliminated about 23,000 trucks from the roads, while November’s performance equated to 24,000 trucks.
The record volumes comprised both containerised and bulk cargo, signalling rising confidence among shippers and a broader diversification of Kenya Railways’ freight portfolio.
Mainga attributed the strong performance to initiatives he has spearheaded, including enhanced stakeholder collaboration, streamlined scheduling, and improved efficiency at key terminals in Mombasa, Nairobi, and Naivasha.
He said the interventions have enabled the SGR to surpass internal performance targets and deepen its footprint in regional supply chains, contributing to lower logistics costs and greater competitiveness.
Kenya Railways has prioritised modernising operations, improving turnaround times, and strengthening industry partnerships, positioning the state agency as a central player in the country’s transport ecosystem.
