Kenya Railways and vehicle dealer Autobarn East Africa launched a new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) vehicle freight service on October 29, 2026, connecting Mombasa and Nairobi through the railway network to speed up vehicle transportation, reduce road exposure and provide importers with an alternative to road haulage.
The inaugural train departed the Port of Mombasa and arrived at the Nairobi Inland Container Depot in Embakasi within eight hours. It carried 21 vehicles on four specially fabricated car carriers, alongside 34 flatbed wagons transporting shipping containers.
The new service marks Kenya Railways' expansion into dedicated vehicle transportation, adding another commercial activity to its existing passenger and freight operations. The corporation has been conducting trials since last year before introducing the service to the market.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga said the initiative aims to strengthen rail freight operations while offering businesses a safer and more efficient way to transport vehicles. He said the corporation is targeting approximately 700 vehicles monthly through the service.
The specialised freight wagons can accommodate different vehicle models, including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Mazda and Daihatsu. The service also includes insurance, vehicle lashing and securing, as well as customs processing to support the transportation process.
For vehicle importers and dealers, the eight-hour journey offers an alternative to road transportation, which can take more than a day. Moving vehicles by rail also reduces additional mileage, exposure to road damage and the number of vehicles making long-distance journeys.
Autobarn East Africa is expected to serve as an anchor customer as Kenya Railways seeks to attract more vehicle dealers, manufacturers, importers and clearing agents. The corporation is also looking beyond the domestic market, targeting traders handling vehicles destined for Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The service will also accommodate individual motorists seeking to transport their personal vehicles between Nairobi, Mombasa and Naivasha. This arrangement could benefit travellers who prefer using passenger trains rather than driving long distances.
Kenya Railways is now seeking to expand participation among automotive industry players as it works towards its monthly transportation target. The uptake of the service and the number of vehicles moved in the coming months will determine its contribution to the corporation's wider freight expansion strategy.
