Reduced freight costs by 60%, cut Nairobi-Mombasa travel to under 5 hours, reduced road congestion, created thousands of jobs
Standard Gauge Railway Phase 1 (Mombasa-Nairobi)
Modern standard gauge railway connecting Mombasa port to Nairobi, replacing the colonial-era metre gauge line over 472km.
AnnouncedNovember 28, 2013
StartedOctober 1, 2014
Expected CompletionJune 1, 2017
CompletedMay 31, 2017
Financials
Offering PriceKsh 327,000,000,000KES
Actual CostKsh 380,000,000,000KES
Cost Variance
Timeline
Contract Signing with CRBC
Kenya signed a KES 327 billion contract with China Road and Bridge Corporation for SGR Phase 1
Construction Begins
Groundbreaking ceremony held in Mombasa, construction officially commenced
Cost Overrun Controversy
Reports emerged that SGR was among the most expensive railways per kilometer globally, sparking debate about inflated costs and potential corruption
Madaraka Express Launch
President Kenyatta officially launched the Madaraka Express passenger service from Mombasa to Nairobi
Freight Services Begin
SGR freight services launched with government directive requiring all Mombasa port cargo to use SGR
Scandals & Controversies
Cost Overrun Controversy
June 1, 2016Reports emerged that SGR was among the most expensive railways per kilometer globally, sparking debate about inflated costs and potential corruption
Contractors
China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC)
Main EPC ContractorPrimary engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for SGR Phase 1
China Communications Construction Company (CCCC)
Parent Company / Financier LiaisonParent company of CRBC, facilitated Chinese government financing
Politicians Involved
Uhuru Kenyatta
President of KenyaChampioned and launched the SGR project as the centerpiece of his development agenda
Michael Kamau
Cabinet Secretary for TransportOversaw initial SGR planning and contract negotiations
James Macharia
Cabinet Secretary for TransportManaged SGR operations phase and Phase 2A extension
Benefits
Description
The Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is a flagship infrastructure project connecting Kenya's main port city Mombasa to the capital Nairobi. The 472km railway was built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and financed largely through Chinese loans. It features 33 stations, carries both passengers (Madaraka Express) and freight, and was designed to eventually connect to Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan as part of the East African Railway Master Plan. The project has been controversial due to cost overruns, debt concerns, and allegations of corruption.
Overview
Kenya's largest infrastructure project since independence, transforming Mombasa-Nairobi logistics, reducing freight transport costs by 60%, and cutting passenger travel time from 12 hours to under 5 hours.