President William Ruto on Wednesday officially launched the new Mombasa commuter rail service and immediately took his first ride aboard the train from Mombasa town terminus to the SGR station in Miritini.

The Head of State was joined by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Transport CS Davis Chirchir, Mining CS Hassan Joho, Sports CS Salim Mvurya, and other senior government officials.

The 13.8-kilometre journey, which includes stops at Changamwe West, Changamwe East, Shimanzi, and Mazeras, took approximately 40 minutes.

Speaking after the ride, President Ruto hailed the project as a milestone for affordable, reliable, and efficient transport in Mombasa.

“This is more than transport; it is connectivity, opportunity, and progress for Mombasa,” he said, noting that the commuter service will relieve thousands of passengers who have long struggled with traffic congestion and high travel costs.

The service will charge just KSh 50 per trip, compared to the current KSh 800 many passengers pay for travel between Miritini and Mombasa’s central business district.

Ruto said the commuter rail would reduce road traffic, improve safety, and enhance productivity in the coastal city while carrying up to 4,000 passengers daily.

Governor Nassir praised the project as a “game-changer” that would make commuting more affordable and open up economic opportunities for traders and workers.

The President also emphasized that the launch is part of the government’s broader plan to expand the national rail network, linking Mombasa to Naivasha, Kisumu, Malaba, and the LAPSSET corridor.

“This project connects Mombasa’s railway heritage with Kenya’s modern transport revolution, securing our place as the gateway to Africa,” he said.