All government departments have been ordered to ferry all import and export cargo using the Standard Guage Railway line (SGR).
Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua in a March 7 circular said "all cargo imported and/or exported by government agencies, including cargo for projects undertaken by third parties, must be moved on SGR."
He said any other cargo transported between the Coastal city of Mombasa and Nairobi by any other means will require written consent from Transport Principal Secretary Kinyua said.
The move, he said is aimed at increasing activity along the railway line, Kenya's highly priced social infrastructure.
To boost the railway line cargo uptake, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) less than two weeks ago cut container handling fees for a 20-foot local container at the inland container terminal in Embakasi to Sh8,160 from Sh10,506.
The circular directs ministries, agencies and departments to ensure any cargo imported or exported via the port of Mombasa is ferried to the Nairobi freight terminal and vice-versa on the SGR line.
Ministries, department and agencies are also required to declared goods moved in the present Fiscal Year to the managing director Kenya Railways and the Transport Principal Secretary within 10 days.
Most State agencies have been ferrying cargo using road.