The Kenya Railways Corporation on 27 March announced plans to launch a same-day parcel delivery service using the Standard Gauge Railway, in a move expected to transform cargo movement between Nairobi and Mombasa.
The corporation said the new service will allow customers to send parcels between the two cities and receive them on the same day, significantly reducing delivery timelines.
In a statement shared on X, Kenya Railways described the service as fast, safe and reliable, noting it is designed to meet growing demand for efficient logistics solutions.
The agency added that more details, including the official launch date and pricing structure, will be communicated in due course.
Currently, parcel delivery between Nairobi and Mombasa often takes at least one day depending on dispatch time, making the rail option a faster alternative.
Boosting SGR revenue and logistics
The introduction of parcel delivery is 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 seeking to tap into rising demand driven by e-commerce and business supply chains that rely on timely delivery.
The Standard Gauge Railway has already reduced travel time between Nairobi and Mombasa to under six hours, marking a significant shift in passenger transport since its launch.
Analysts say expanding into parcel delivery could enhance the railwayβs competitiveness while easing pressure on road transport networks.
The development comes amid ongoing plans by the government to extend the railway network further inland under President William Ruto.
The proposed expansion will link Naivasha to Kisumu and extend to Malaba along the Kenya-Uganda border.
The project is expected to improve connectivity, reduce congestion along major highways and enhance movement of goods across the region.
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has also indicated plans to extend the railway from Malaba to Kampala, a move aimed at boosting regional trade.
