Kenya Railways has announced a major milestone in the country’s transport sector, revealing that it moved 640,000 tonnes of cargo in October 2025, the highest monthly volume since the Madaraka Express Freight Service began operations in 2017.

The achievement is a sign of a significant boost in the efficiency and reliability of rail transport, which continues to play a central role in connecting Kenya’s key ports and inland economic hubs.

In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Kenya Railways said, “In October 2025, Kenya Railways safely transported 640,000 tonnes of cargo — our highest monthly volume since the launch of the Madaraka Express Freight Service in 201,” the statement reads

The figure marks a steady rise in rail freight usage, as businesses and logistics firms increasingly turn to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to move goods between Mombasa, Nairobi, and Naivasha. The system has been credited for reducing road congestion, lowering transport costs, and cutting turnaround time for importers and exporters.

Kenya Railways noted that the record performance was a reflection of public confidence and operational improvements made over the past few years. “Proof that efficiency, customer trust, and sustainability keep Kenya moving right on track,” the statement added.

The Madaraka Express Freight Service was launched to ease cargo movement along the Northern Corridor and reduce reliance on road transport.

SGR loan to be fully repaid by 2028

This comes as a sign of relief as Kenya Railways races against time to clear its loans before 2025, Appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation during a fact-finding visit to Mombasa on June 13, 2025, Kenya Railways (KR) Managing Director Philip Mainga said the debt, which amounts to over Ksh477 billion borrowed from the Exim Bank of China, is being serviced through a combination of internal revenue and exchequer support. “Hon. Chair, I would like to inform the Committee that we have never defaulted on the SGR loan facility, and we are set to complete the payment in 2028,” Mainga told lawmakers

The 640,000-tonne milestone highlights how Kenya’s investment in modern rail infrastructure is beginning to deliver measurable returns, especially in supporting trade and industrial growth. It also strengthens the case for further expansion of the freight network to serve more regions and connect seamlessly with regional transport systems.