Transport in Kenya refers to the transportation structure inKenya. The country has an extensive network of paved and unpaved roads.
Kenya'srailway system links the nation's ports and major cities and connects Kenya with neighbouringUganda. There are 15 airports with paved runways.
According to the Kenya Roads Board, Kenya has 160,886 kilometres (99,970 mi) ofroads.
They are currently classified into the following categories:[1]
| Class | Description | Purpose | Roads | Paved | Unpaved | Total (in km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | International Trunk Roads | Link centres of international importance and cross international boundaries or terminate at international ports or airports. | A1,A2,A3,A4,A14,A23,A104,A109 | 2,772 | 816 | 3,588 |
| B | National Trunk Roads | Link nationally important centres (e.g. Provincial headquarters). | B1,B3,B8 | 1,489 | 1,156 | 2,645 |
| C | Primary Roads | Link provincially important centres to each other or to higher class roads (e.g. District headquarters). | C107, C111, C115 | 2,693 | 5,164 | 7,857 |
| D | Secondary Roads | Link locally important centres to each other, or to more important centres or to a higher class road (e.g. divisional headquarters). | 1,238 | 9,483 | 10,721 | |
| E | Minor Roads | Any link to a minor centre. | 577 | 26,071 | 26,649 | |
| SPR | Special Purpose Roads | Government Roads (G) Settlement Roads (L) Rural Access Roads (R) Sugar Roads (S) Tea Roads (T) Wheat Roads (W) | 100 | 10,376 | 10,476 | |
| U | Unclassified Roads | All other public roads and streets | 2,318 | 96,623 | 98,941 | |
| All | Total | All public roads and streets | 11,187 | 149,689 | 160,876 |
There are around 100,000matatus (minibuses), which constitute the bulk of the country's public transport system.
Once the largest bus company in Kenya,Kenya Bus Services, ran into financial difficulties, forcing them to reduce the number of buses operated. They are currently operating minibuses within Nairobi city, although new, smaller, city buses offering passengers higher standards of comfort and safety have been introduced on some inner-city routes.
Coast Bus, the oldest bus operator in Kenya, runs a day and night service between Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa. Ascott operates minivans offering shuttle service between Nairobi andKisii; they offer snacks on board. The Guardian bus co. Ltd, a private company which runs the Guardian Bus service, operates day and night passenger bus and courier services to a number of destinations in Western Kenya.
Other bus companies in Kenya include Modern Coast, Nyamira Express, Otange, MASH, Vanga, Simba coach, Xenon dreamline, Messina, MAslah, Amani coaches, west coaches, Horizon, 2nk sacco, Chania Comfort, chania genesis, parrot line, x calibur and Crown Bus but there are a number of other companies which offer inter-city services such as Eldoret Express,Kawere, Climax, Greenline, Western Express, Mbukinya, Kalita Coaches and Palmdam.There also number of shuttle companies operating van to western Kenya such as Sasaline, Blueline, Classic, Khukhu, Royal Rift, Transline msafiri, Transline classic, Premium shuttles, Nyanza shuttle, North Rift, Molo Line and Mash Poa.Taxedo
In February 2004 the Ministry of Transportin Kenya introduced new regulations governing the operation of Matatus. These regulations (famously referred to as "Michuki Rules") include: the compulsory fitting ofsafety belts andspeed governors. In addition, standing on matatus was banned. As a result of these regulations, many matatus were taken off the road, which caused great disruption to public transport, forcing many people to walk to work. Now the situation has stabilised, and the new regulations have resulted in a great reduction of the number of people killed and injured in accidents. Due to lax enforcement after the initial push, the number of deaths in road accidents had increased in recent years.
On 1 December 2012 the government will begin to enforce the recently amended traffic act which has significantly increased the penalties for offences.Matatu operators have protested the move through strike action.[2]
Two routes in theTrans-African Highway network pass throughKenya and the capital,Nairobi:
 |
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport inNairobi, is Kenya's largest airport and serves the most destinations. Some international flights go toMoi International Airport inMombasa.Kisumu Airport was upgraded to an international airport in 2011 and a second phase of expansion is under way. In 2012, US NavySeebees built a major new tarmac runway atWajir Airport that can take heavy aircraft.[3]
total: 181
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 107
under 914 m: 60 (2013)
Many airports with unpaved runways serve private purposes, such as private game parks and safari lodges, but are still serviced by airlines likeAirKenya
 | This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(June 2018) |
Total: 2,066 km (1,284 mi)
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)metre gauge: 2,066 km
The formerUganda Railway, was run by the companyEast African Railways. It jointly served the present countries ofUganda,Tanzania andKenya. Since the dissolution of the EAR corporation in 1977, the national companyKenya Railways Corporation runs the former Uganda Railway and its branches in Kenya. The most important line in the country runs between the port ofMombasa andNairobi, sleeping car accommodation is offered for tourists.
In 2006, theRift Valley Railways Consortium led by South African companies took over the operation of the Kenyan and Ugandan railway network on a contract lasting 25 years, with the opportunity of renewal. After criticism from the Kenya Railways Corporation, RVR doubled the frequency of service, and also imposed restrictions to reduce train derailments caused by the ageing infrastructure.[4]
RVR run passenger trains within Kenya only, primarily fromNairobi toMombasa but also to local towns such asKisumu. Passenger services on these lines are offered on peak periods only. Freight services are the bulk of RVR's operations.
In 2008, agreements were made with Uganda about gauge standardisation.[5]
In 2011, Kenya signed a memorandum of understanding with theChina Road and Bridge Corporation to build theMombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). Financing for theUS$3.6 billion project was finalised in May 2014, with theExim Bank of China extending a loan for 90% of the project cost, and the remaining 10% coming from the Kenyan government.[6] Passenger service on the SGR was inaugurated on 31 May 2017.[7] Work to extend the SGR toSuswa is complete.[8] The SGR program is intended to replace the old, inefficientmetre-gauge railway system.[9]
The first segment of the SGR, between Mombasa and Nairobi, opened passenger rail service in June 2017, and freight rail service in January 2018.[10][11]
South Sudan – none – proposed link toJuba (2005)break-of-gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)/1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Tanzania – same1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge – maybe defunct
Uganda – yes – same gauge –1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)Part of theLake Victoria system is within the boundaries of Kenya. Kenya has a major international port atMombasa, serving both Kenya and Uganda.Kisumu on Lake Victoria is also another major port, which has ferry connections to Uganda and Tanzania.
|
Total: 3 ships (with a volume of 1,000 gross tonnage (GT) or over) 6,049 GT/7,082 tonnesdeadweight (DWT)
By type: passenger/cargo 2,petroleum tanker 1
Registered in other countries: 6 (2006)
Mombasa has the only commercial port that reaches international standards. Mombasa's commercial port is calledKilindini Harbour and is run by theKenya Ports Authority, it lies on the Indian Ocean.
There are plans to build another international port inLamu to the north east ofMombasa.
There is aninland port atKisumu which servesLake Victoria. In 2015 a new ferry was delivered to Kisumu by road.[12]
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromThe World Factbook.CIA.
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