First cargo train arrives in Nairobi. The train is expected to eas transport on our roads. [Photo/Nation]
First SGR commercial cargo train arrived in Nairobi on Monday at the new ultra-modern container depot in Nairobi.
The train arrived at the new depot, which was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta a fortnight ago.
In his New Year message to the country, the president said the train would be officially starting its operation today, Tuesday.
According to President Kenyatta, the train will significantly improve the transportation of cargo and improve the mode of doing business in the country.
The train carried 104 containers, which is almost equivalent to the trucks operating daily on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
The train, which is a kilometer long, left Mombasa on Monday morning, arriving Nairobi at 2 pm, and will be making more trips every day.
According to Kenya’s Ports Authority head of Inland Container Deports Symon Wahome, the operation of the railway will be a big plus to the country’s economy.
“While the meter train used to carry twenty to thirty containers, the standard gauge train will carry 216 containers,” said Mr Wahome.
The SGR railway transport system was launched last year by President Uhuru Kenyatta.