‘Rename SGR To Uhuru Rail!’ – Former KICC Head Irungu Nyakera
Former Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) chairperson Irungu Nyakera has urged that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) be christened with a local name, such as Uhuru Rail, in order to localize it and increase its profitability.
Since its construction, the SGR has been a transformative infrastructural project that connects Nairobi and Mombasa while also facilitating cargo movement throughout the country.
However, over time, concerns have been raised about its performance, profitability, and viability for the country.
Recent figures show a decrease in passenger numbers, generating concerns about how to make it more effective, profitable, and Kenyan.
According to the most recent data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), SGR passengers decreased by 282,000 last year compared to 2023.
Many have asked me to offer practical steps the government can take to make SGR more Kenyan, more efficient, and more profitable:
— Irungu Nyakera, CBS (@wnyakera) June 14, 2025
1. Renegotiate SGR loan terms to extended repayment periods and lower interest rates.
2. Localize operations by hiring more Kenyan professionals to… pic.twitter.com/QMGZRnypxi
Cargo transit via SGR also experienced a minor reduction, with freight volume falling from 6,533,000 tonnes in 2023 to 6,531,000 tonnes in 2024.
These decreases resulted in a 50% rate increase in January 2024, with economy-class tickets rising from Ksh1,000 to Ksh1,500 and first-class fares rising from Ksh3,000 to Ksh4,500.
Following these events, Nyakera identified ten essential initiatives Kenya may take to improve SGR performance.
Among them is renegotiating SGR loan arrangements to lengthen payback periods and cut interest rates.
Other significant recommendations he has made include localising operations and employing more Kenyan professionals to operate and maintain the railway.
He also wants to transition from diesel to electric trains and allow trains to double-stack (carry an extra container on top), as other modern railways do, to boost capacity.
He also proposed finishing the Naivasha-Kampala line and prioritizing the construction of Kisumu Port.
This will encourage shipping from Mombasa by providing tax or cost incentives for enterprises to transport cargo by rail rather than truck.
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It will also construct loading stations and dry ports adjacent to industries to enable manufacturers to transport directly via SGR.
Nyakera also proposed expanding passenger service between major cities, allowing licensed private actors such as cement businesses, logistics corporations, and agri-exporters to operate their own trains on the SGR, and renaming it with a local name.
According to Nyakera, rebranding SGR to a new name such as Uhuru Rail or KenRail will give it a Kenyan identity, increasing Kenyan ownership and cementing it as a national asset.
Nyakera believes that with these adjustments, SGR may reverse its passenger drop, enhance freight efficiency, and strengthen its role as a cornerstone of national growth.
‘Rename SGR To Uhuru Rail!’ – Former KICC Head Irungu Nyakera
