The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has achieved its best performance since inception, hauling an unprecedented 640,000 metric tonnes of cargo in October 2025, according to data released by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC).
This milestone marks the highest monthly freight volume since the SGR began operations in 2017, a feat equivalent to removing approximately 23,000 trucks from Kenya’s highways. The shift not only eases road congestion but also underlines the railway’s expanding role in the country’s logistics and supply chain network.
The record haul included both containerised and bulk cargo, reflecting the growing confidence of importers and exporters in rail transport. KRC attributed the surge to enhanced client collaboration, streamlined operations, and efficiency improvements at key terminals in Mombasa, Nairobi, and Naivasha.
“Moving over 640,000 tonnes in a single month underscores the SGR’s increasing importance in Kenya’s supply chain by providing a more efficient alternative to road haulage,” KRC said in a statement.
The achievement surpasses Kenya Railways’ internal targets and demonstrates the resilience and reliability of the modern rail system. Analysts say the growth comes at a crucial time when Kenya is working to strengthen its logistics infrastructure to boost economic growth and facilitate regional trade across the East African corridor.
The surge in freight volumes aligns with other positive indicators for the SGR this year. Between January and June 2025, passenger numbers rose by 5.4 percent to 1.18 million, reversing the decline recorded in 2024 despite fare adjustments.
Since its launch in 2017, the Chinese-built SGR has transported nearly 16 million passengers and millions of tonnes of goods, cutting travel time between Nairobi and Mombasa from seven to five hours. The record-breaking October performance reaffirms the SGR’s role as a cornerstone of Kenya’s transport and economic development strategy.
