SGR train clocks 2 million passengers

Rose Mbogo, two millionth Madaraka Express train passenger with her son Newton Mbogo. The SGR has hit two million passengers since it started operations. [Wilberforce Okwiri/Standard]

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passenger train service, the Madaraka Express, has ferried its two-millionth passenger since launch in May last year.

At a ceremony in Nairobi to mark the milestone yesterday, Kenya Railways Corporation unveiled Ms Rose Mbogo, a nurse by profession, as the lucky passenger to have helped it achieve the fete.

This comes even as the train service is rapidly gaining popularity as a preferred mode of transportation between Nairobi and Mombasa.

“The appeal of the service combined with innovations and hard work of our team in creating a world-class experience and gives us an assurance that the future is bright for this service," said Kenya Railways Corporation Chairman Michael Waweru.

Also in attendance was the Corporation’s acting Managing Director Philip Mainga, Charge d’Affairs at the Chinese Embassy Li Xuhang and China Road and Bridge Corporation Deputy Managing Director Li Gang.

Mr Gang said the benefits accruing from the launch of Madaraka Express cannot be overstated given the service has reduced transit times between destinations on the Nairobi-Mombasa route. He said the service had also impacted positively the lives of many Kenyans through direct and indirect employment.

“The Mombasa-Nairobi SGR has significantly shortened the travel distance between the two cities and has reduced the travel time between Mombasa and Nairobi,” he added.