Ruto discloses what Kenyans will pay to use train linking SGR Terminus and Mombasa CBD
President William Ruto has officially commissioned the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service, a project designed to connect the Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Terminus in Miritini to the city’s Central Business District (CBD).
Speaking during the launch on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Head of State emphasised that the service will now ease transport for thousands of travellers who have long faced costly and time-consuming journeys from the SGR Terminus to the city centre.
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He revealed that passengers will now pay only Ksh50 for the trip, a fraction of the Ksh300 often charged by matatus and the Ksh800 demanded by taxis for the same route.
“We are here today to make transport easier from the Mombasa SGR Terminus to the CBD, the point we call kilometre zero. From today, this will be possible. The fare that was previously 300 shillings by matatu or 800 shillings by taxi will now be just 50 shillings to reach the CBD,” he said.
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The president noted that the service will operate through newly constructed stations, including four stops between Miritini and the CBD.
He underlined that the new rail link marks a deliberate effort by the government to modernise Mombasa’s transport network and make commuting more affordable.
“We have built a new station and added four stops, so passengers can now travel with ease from Miritini through Changamwe to the CBD using the railway,” he added.
Beyond transport, Ruto also tied the commissioning to broader economic transformation plans for the Coast region.
Also watch: Government announces its intention to extend SGR line to Kisumu and Malaba
He pointed out that on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, he launched the Vipingo Special Economic Zone in Kilifi and pledged to return before December to begin work on the long-awaited Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone.
He explained that the initiative, which has been anticipated for years, will open opportunities for value addition, processing industries, and job creation in Mombasa.
“I also wish to inform you that yesterday I was in Kilifi, where we officially launched the Vipingo Special Economic Zone, and I will return here before December because we have secured funds to begin the long-awaited Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone this year. This will create jobs and increase value addition through processing, helping us generate wealth and employment opportunities in Mombasa,” he said.
Mombasa port
The Head of State further reassured the coastal community of his commitment to strengthening the Port of Mombasa.
He reiterated that he had returned port operations from Nairobi back to Mombasa, a decision he said has already boosted cargo volumes, efficiency, and capacity.
According to him, volumes at the port have grown by 40 per cent over the past two years, prompting the government to plan for further expansion.
“We also agreed that our port in Mombasa must be handled properly. I promised to return port operations, which had been moved to Nairobi, back to Mombasa. That process is already ongoing, and as a result, we have recorded increased cargo volumes, greater efficiency, and higher capacity at our port. In the last two years, cargo volumes have risen by 40 percent, which now requires us as the Government of Kenya to expand the port further.”
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Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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