The Kenya Railways Corporation on 27 March announced plans to introduce a same-day parcel delivery service using the Standard Gauge Railway, in a move set to redefine cargo transport between Nairobi and Mombasa.
Kenya Railways said the upcoming service will allow customers to send parcels between Nairobi and Mombasa and have them delivered within the same day, offering a faster alternative to existing courier options.
In a statement shared on its official platforms, the corporation described the service as fast, safe and reliable, adding that it is tailored to meet increasing demand for efficient logistics solutions across the country.
The agency noted that further details, including the official launch date, collection points and pricing structure, will be communicated in due course.
Currently, parcel delivery between the two cities can take at least one day depending on dispatch time, a delay that the new rail service aims to eliminate. The shift is expected to benefit businesses and individuals who rely on timely delivery of goods.
Boosting SGR revenue and logistics
The parcel delivery service is also expected to diversify revenue streams for the railway, which has largely focused on passenger transport and freight services from the Port of Mombasa to Naivasha.
Kenya Railways is positioning itself to tap into the growing e-commerce market and supply chains that require dependable and rapid delivery systems.
Since its launch, the Standard Gauge Railway has significantly reduced travel time between Nairobi and Mombasa to under six hours, improving both passenger and cargo movement.
Industry observers say expanding into parcel delivery could strengthen the railway’s competitiveness against road transport while helping to ease congestion on major highways, particularly those used by cargo trucks.
Expansion plans across the region
The announcement comes as the government continues to pursue expansion of the railway network under President William Ruto.
Plans are underway to extend the line from Naivasha to Kisumu and onward to Malaba, improving connectivity to western Kenya and neighbouring countries.
The expansion is expected to reduce travel times, lower logistics costs and ease traffic congestion along the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway, especially during peak travel seasons.
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has also announced plans to extend the railway from Malaba to Kampala, a move that could enhance regional trade and integration within East Africa.
If completed, the extended network will support seamless movement of goods from the Port of Mombasa to inland markets, positioning the railway as a key driver of economic growth in the region.
