By the end of 2025, the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) will assume control of the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway, taking over from the Chinese company Africa Star (Afristar), according to reports from Business Daily.
Afristar, a subsidiary of China Road and Bridge Corporation, had been contracted to manage the line for ten years, beginning in 2017. While Afristar continues to oversee ticketing and revenue collection, KRC has been handling marketing for the railway.
KRC managing director Philip Mainga defended the railway’s impact, emphasizing that 98% of the workforce is Kenyan and the line contributes 3% to the country’s GDP. He also dismissed claims that the railway was failing to generate government revenue, stating that it successfully transports over 30,000 passengers daily and moves significant cargo between Mombasa and Nairobi within eight hours. He highlighted the alleviation of port congestion as another key benefit.
In July 2024, KRC introduced premium coach options, with one-way tickets between Nairobi and Mombasa priced at approximately $100.