Kenya's Transport Revolution: SGR, Expressway, and the Infrastructure Projects Reshaping the Nation

Kenya is in the midst of a massive transport infrastructure transformation that is reshaping how people and goods move across East Africa's largest economy. From the Standard Gauge Railway connecting Mombasa to Nairobi and beyond, to the Nairobi Expressway cutting through the capital's legendary traffic, to expanded airports and modernized ports, billions of dollars in investment are redefining Kenya's transport landscape. These projects carry enormous economic promise but also significant financial and environmental considerations.

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)

The Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is Kenya's most significant transport infrastructure project since independence. The 609-kilometer railway, built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and financed primarily through Chinese government loans exceeding $5 billion, was inaugurated on May 31, 2017. A 120-kilometer extension from Nairobi to Naivasha (Suswa) was completed in 2019 at an additional cost of $1.5 billion.

The SGR has demonstrated growing operational success. Since launch, it has transported nearly 15.93 million passengers and over 41.96 million tonnes of cargo. In 2025, the railway carried 2.7 million passengers, up from 2.4 million in 2024. Revenue grew impressively from KES 15 billion in 2022 to KES 18.1 billion in 2024 and KES 21.4 billion in 2025 — an 18.6 percent year-on-year increase driven by both freight and passenger traffic. The project has supported approximately 74,000 jobs across construction, operations, and supply chains.

The passenger service operates the Madaraka Express between Mombasa and Nairobi (4.5 hours, compared to 10+ hours by road) and the Nairobi-Suswa commuter service. Freight operations have gradually increased their share of the Mombasa-Nairobi cargo corridor, though the mandatory requirement for containers to be transported by SGR from Mombasa port was controversial and was subsequently relaxed to allow trucking competition.

SGR Expansion Plans

Kenya is advancing a $4 billion infrastructure financing initiative to extend the SGR from Naivasha to Kisumu on Lake Victoria and onward to Malaba at the Ugandan border. This extension would position the railway as a regional freight artery connecting the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda — potentially transforming East African trade logistics. However, financing for this extension remains uncertain, with the original plan for continued Chinese lending giving way to exploration of alternative funding sources including development finance institutions and public-private partnerships.

The Nairobi Expressway

The Nairobi Expressway is a 27.1-kilometer elevated toll highway running from Mlolongo (near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) through the central business district to Westlands. Built by China Road and Bridge Corporation under a public-private partnership arrangement, the expressway opened in phases starting in 2022. The project cost approximately $668 million, financed by the Chinese developer who operates the road under a 30-year concession before transferring it to the Kenyan government.

The expressway has dramatically reduced travel times on the Mombasa Road-Uhuru Highway-Waiyaki Way corridor — a journey that could take two to three hours during peak traffic now takes 15 to 20 minutes on the toll road. Toll charges range from KES 100 to KES 510 depending on the entry and exit points and vehicle category. Payment is made through the electronic Eway system linked to M-Pesa and other mobile money platforms. While the expressway has improved mobility for those who can afford the tolls, critics have raised concerns about the concession terms, toll pricing, and the impact on surrounding road networks.

Road Infrastructure

Roads carry over 90 percent of Kenya's freight and passenger traffic, making the road network critical to economic activity. The country has approximately 177,800 kilometers of classified roads, of which roughly 20 percent are paved. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) manages national trunk roads, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) handles rural roads, and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) manages urban roads.

Major road projects completed or underway include the dualling of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway (A104), expansion of the Mombasa-Mariakani highway, the Lamu-Garsen-Witu road connecting the Lamu Port to the hinterland, and numerous county road improvements. The government's annuity road programme finances road construction through long-term payment arrangements with contractors, spreading costs over 10 to 15 years. Road maintenance remains a significant challenge, with many paved roads deteriorating faster than they can be rehabilitated due to heavy truck traffic and inadequate maintenance funding.

Port of Mombasa and LAPSSET

The Port of Mombasa, managed by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), is East Africa's largest and busiest seaport, handling over 37 million tonnes of cargo annually. The port serves not only Kenya but also landlocked countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, eastern DRC, and parts of Ethiopia and Somalia. The development of the second container terminal at the port increased capacity significantly, reducing ship waiting times and improving efficiency.

The LAPSSET (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport) Corridor is one of Africa's most ambitious infrastructure projects. The first three berths of the new Lamu Port were completed and operationalized, with the port designed to eventually have 32 berths. The broader LAPSSET vision includes a highway, railway, oil pipeline, and resort cities connecting Lamu to South Sudan and Ethiopia, though the full project has been scaled back due to financing challenges and changing regional dynamics.

Aviation

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi is East Africa's busiest airport, handling over 8 million passengers annually. The airport serves as the hub for Kenya Airways and connects Kenya to over 60 international destinations. Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Eldoret International Airport, and Kisumu International Airport serve regional and some international routes. Plans for a new greenfield airport (or major terminal expansion at JKIA) have been discussed for years, with the current facility operating near or above design capacity during peak periods.

Kenya Airways, the national carrier, operates an extensive route network across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America (New York JFK). The airline has faced financial difficulties, accumulating significant losses and debt, leading to discussions about restructuring, nationalization, and potential strategic partnerships. Low-cost carriers including Jambojet (Kenya Airways' subsidiary) and various charter operators serve the domestic market.

Urban Transport: Matatus and BRT

Nairobi's public transport is dominated by privately operated matatus, with efforts ongoing to introduce a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along major corridors. The Nairobi BRT project, supported by the World Bank and other development partners, aims to establish dedicated bus lanes along high-demand routes including Thika Road and Juja Road. However, implementation has been slow due to land acquisition challenges, resistance from matatu operators, and coordination difficulties between national and county governments.

Digital ride-hailing platforms including Uber, Bolt, and local players like Little have transformed urban mobility options, while cycling infrastructure and non-motorized transport facilities remain underdeveloped despite growing advocacy for sustainable urban transport solutions.