Transport in Kenya
Encyclopedia
Transport in Kenya compares well with other East Africa
n countries. Kenya
has an extensive network of paved and unpaved roads. Its railway system links the nation's ports and major cities and connects Kenya with neighbouring Uganda
. There are 15 airports with paved runways.
s (minibus
es), which constitute the bulk of the country's public transport
system. In February 2004 the Ministry of Transport introduced new regulations governing the operation of Matatus. These regulations include: the compulsory fitting of safety belts and speed 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.
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 high class day and night service between Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa. Ascott operates minivans offering shuttle service between Nairobi and Kisii; they offer snacks on board. The Akamba Public Road Services, a private company which runs the Akamba Bus service operates day and night passenger bus and courier services to a number of destinations in Western Kenya, Rift Valley, Mombasa and East African towns of Kampala and Mwanza. A new service has been started from Kisumu to Kigali in Rwanda. Other reputable bus companies in Kenya include Modern Coast,Nyamira Express, Otange, MASH and Crown Bus but there are a number of other companies which offer inter-city services such as Eldoret Express, Mbukinya,The Gardian, Kalita Coaches and Palmdam.There also number of shuttle companies operating van to western Kenya such as Transline msafiri, Transline classic, Premium shuttles, Nyanza shuttle, North Rift, Molo Line.
and the capital, Nairobi
:
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
, located in Nairobi
, is Kenya's largest airport and serves the most destinations.
Some international flights go to Moi International Airport
in Mombasa
. Kisumu Airport
will be upgraded to an international airport in 2011.
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 115
under 914 m: 84 (2006)
Many airports with unpaved runways serve private purposes, such as private game parks and safari lodges, but are still serviced by airlines like AirKenya
Metre gauge
: 2,778 km gauge
The former Uganda Railway
, was run by the company East African Railways
. It jointly served the present countries of Uganda
, Tanzania
and Kenya
. Since the dissolution of the EAR corporation in 1977, the national company Kenya Railways Corporation runs the former Uganda Railway and its branches in Kenya. The most important line in the country runs between the port of Mombasa
and Nairobi
, sleeping car accommodation is offered for tourists.
In 2006, the Rift 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.
RVR run passenger trains within Kenya only, primarily from Nairobi
to Mombasa
but also to local towns such as Kisumu
. 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.
- no - same gauge Somalia
- no railways South Sudan
- no - proposed link to Juba
(2005) break-of-gauge
/ Tanzania
- same gauge - maybe defunct Uganda
- yes - same gauge -
system is within the boundaries of Kenya. Kenya has a major international port at Mombasa
, serving both Kenya and Uganda.
By type: passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker
1
Registered in other countries: 6 (2006)
has the only commercial port that reaches international standards. Mombasa's commercial port is called Kilindini Harbour
and is run by the Kenya Ports Authority
, it lies on the Indian Ocean
.
There are plans to build another international port in Lamu
to the north east of Mombassa.
There is an inland port
at Kisumu
which serves Lake Victoria
.
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
n countries. Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
has an extensive network of paved and unpaved roads. Its railway system links the nation's ports and major cities and connects Kenya with neighbouring Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. There are 15 airports with paved runways.
Roads
According to the Kenya Roads Board, Kenya has 160886 kilometres (99,970.2 mi) of roads with all but 11189 kilometres (6,952.5 mi) unpaved; they are currently classified into the following categories:| Class | Description | Purpose | Example | 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. | A109 A109 road (Kenya) The A109 road is the main road link between the Kenyan cities of Nairobi and Mombasa. It is also known as The Mombasa road. For the majority of the distance, the road runs adjacent to the Nairobi-Mombasa main line, itself a branch of the Uganda Railway.... |
2,772 | 816 | 3,588 |
| B | National Trunk Roads | Link nationally important centres (e.g. Provincial headquarters). | B8 B8 road (Kenya) The B8 is a major highway in Kenya's Coast Province, connecting Mombasa to Garissa. The section between Mombasa and Malindi is popularly referred to as the Mombasa-Malindi road, whilst the section between Malindi and Garissa is popularly referred to as the Malindi-Garissa road.The road employs a... |
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). | 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 | All other public roads and streets | 2,318 | 96,623 | 98,941 |
Bus transport
There are around 25,000 matatuMatatu
In Kenya and neighboring nations matatu are privately owned minibuses although pick-up trucks were in the past pressed into service as these East African share taxis. Often decorated, many matatu feature portraits of the famous or slogans and sayings, some religious.These minibuses ply set routes,...
s (minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
es), which constitute the bulk of the country's public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
system. In February 2004 the Ministry of Transport introduced new regulations governing the operation of Matatus. These regulations include: the compulsory fitting of safety belts and speed 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.
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 high class day and night service between Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa. Ascott operates minivans offering shuttle service between Nairobi and Kisii; they offer snacks on board. The Akamba Public Road Services, a private company which runs the Akamba Bus service operates day and night passenger bus and courier services to a number of destinations in Western Kenya, Rift Valley, Mombasa and East African towns of Kampala and Mwanza. A new service has been started from Kisumu to Kigali in Rwanda. Other reputable bus companies in Kenya include Modern Coast,Nyamira Express, Otange, MASH and Crown Bus but there are a number of other companies which offer inter-city services such as Eldoret Express, Mbukinya,The Gardian, Kalita Coaches and Palmdam.There also number of shuttle companies operating van to western Kenya such as Transline msafiri, Transline classic, Premium shuttles, Nyanza shuttle, North Rift, Molo Line.
International highways
Two routes in the Trans-African Highway network pass through KenyaKenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and the capital, Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
:
- The Cairo-Cape Town HighwayCairo-Cape Town HighwayThe Cairo-Cape Town Highway is Trans-African Highway 4 in the transcontinental road network being developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa , the African Development Bank , and the African Union...
, Trans-African Highway 4, linking North AfricaNorth AfricaNorth Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, East AfricaEast AfricaEast Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
and Southern AfricaSouthern AfricaSouthern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
. From Nairobi southwards this is one of the most heavily used routes in the network, and includes one of the longest complete paved sections. However, it still has missing links to the north and it is not practical to travel to Cairo without off-road vehicles. - The Lagos-Mombasa HighwayLagos-Mombasa HighwayThe Lagos-Mombasa Highway is Trans-African Highway 8 and is principal road route between West and East Africa...
, Trans-African Highway 8, links East AfricaEast AfricaEast Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
and West AfricaWest AfricaWest Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
. It is only complete between the Ugandan–DR Congo border and Mombasa, linking the African Great LakesAfrican Great LakesThe African Great Lakes are a series of lakes and the Rift Valley lakes in and around the geographic Great Rift Valley formed by the action of the tectonic East African Rift on the continent of Africa...
region to the sea. It is also named the 'Trans-African Highway'.
Airports
Airports - with paved runways
total: 15over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
-Charter airlines:-Cargo airlines:-Other facilities:The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has its head office in the KAA Complex on the airport property. African Express Airways has its head office on the airport property...
, located in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, is Kenya's largest airport and serves the most destinations.
Some international flights go to Moi International Airport
Moi International Airport
Moi International Airport , also Mombasa International Airport, or Mombasa Airport, is an airport in Kenya.-Location:Mombasa Airport, , is located in Mombasa District, Coast Province, in the city of Mombasa, in a township called Port Reitz, in southeastern Kenya, along the Indian Ocean coast.Its...
in Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
. Kisumu Airport
Kisumu Airport
Kisumu Airport is an airport in Kisumu, Kenya . It is the third busiest airport in Kenya.-Airlines and destinations:-Trivia:* U.S. President Barack Obama's father is from the village of Nyang'oma Kogelo, 37 miles or 60 km from Kisumu...
will be upgraded to an international airport in 2011.
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 2101,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 115
under 914 m: 84 (2006)
Many airports with unpaved runways serve private purposes, such as private game parks and safari lodges, but are still serviced by airlines like AirKenya
Airkenya
Airkenya Express is an airline based in Nairobi, Kenya. It operates domestic scheduled and charter services, as well as scheduled flights to Tanzania. Its main base is Wilson Airport, Nairobi.- History :...
Railways
Total: 2778 km (1,726 mi)Metre gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
: 2,778 km gauge
The former Uganda Railway
Uganda Railway
The Uganda Railway is a railway system and former railway company linking the interiors of Uganda and Kenya with the Indian Ocean at Mombasa in Kenya.-Origins:...
, was run by the company East African Railways
East African Railways and Harbours Corporation
The East African Railways and Harbours Corporation was formed in 1948 for the new East African High Commission by merging the Kenya and Uganda Railways and Harbours with the Tanganyika Railway of the Tanganyika Territory...
. It jointly served the present countries of Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
and Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Since the dissolution of the EAR corporation in 1977, the national company Kenya Railways Corporation runs the former Uganda Railway and its branches in Kenya. The most important line in the country runs between the port of Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
and Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, sleeping car accommodation is offered for tourists.
In 2006, the Rift Valley Railways Consortium
Rift Valley Railways Consortium
The Rift Valley Railways Consortium is a consortium that was established to manage the parastatal railways of Kenya and Uganda. The consortium won the bid for private management of the century-old Kenya-Uganda railway in 2005.-History:...
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.
RVR run passenger trains within Kenya only, primarily from Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
to Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
but also to local towns such as Kisumu
Kisumu
Kisumu is a port city in western Kenya at , with a population of 355,024 . It is the third largest city in Kenya, the principal city of western Kenya, the immediate former capital of Nyanza Province and the headquarters of Kisumu County. It has a municipal charter but no city charter...
. 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.
Railway links with adjacent countries
EthiopiaTransport in Ethiopia
Transportation infrastructure in Ethiopia has been neglected for decades, but is now a priority of the government of Ethiopia. Most of the roads and railways are now under construction, and will be completed between 2011 and 2014...
- no - same gauge Somalia
Transport in Somalia
Transport in Somalia includes a network of highways, and several ports. There are now no railways in Somalia, and the country possesses no merchant marine....
- no railways South Sudan
Rail transport in South Sudan
South Sudan has narrow-gauge, single-track railroads that connect Babonosa with Wau. The line was damaged in the civil war, in which several parts of it were mined; the line was fully rehabilitated with United Nations funds....
- no - proposed link to Juba
Juba
- Locations :* Juba, the capital of South Sudan* Juba, Estonia, a village in Võru Parish, Võru County, Estonia- People :* Juba I of Numidia * Juba II of Numidia * Juba of Mauretania...
(2005) break-of-gauge
Break-of-gauge
With railways, a break-of-gauge occurs where a line of one gauge meets a line of a different gauge. Trains and rolling stock cannot run through without some form of conversion between gauges, and freight and passengers must otherwise be transloaded...
/ Tanzania
Transport in Tanzania
Transport in Tanzania is mainly by road, supplemented by rail. Tanzania's road network, is of limited quality and not many roads are tarmacked. Dirt roads become impassable during the rainy season and can remain impassable for days, or, more often, weeks. The only reliable surface connection from...
- same gauge - maybe defunct Uganda
Transport in Uganda
- Railways :Total:1,241 kmmetre gauge:1,241 km gaugenote:A program to rehabilitate the railway started in , however much of the railway is inoperative....
- yes - same gauge -
Waterways
Part of the Lake VictoriaLake Victoria
Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to discover this lake....
system is within the boundaries of Kenya. Kenya has a major international port at Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
, serving both Kenya and Uganda.
Merchant Marine
Total:" 3 ships (with a volume of or over) /By type: passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker
Oil tanker
An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a merchant ship designed for the bulk transport of oil. There are two basic types of oil tankers: the crude tanker and the product tanker. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crude oil from its point of extraction to refineries...
1
Registered in other countries: 6 (2006)
Ports and harbors
MombasaMombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
has the only commercial port that reaches international standards. Mombasa's commercial port is called Kilindini Harbour
Kilindini Harbour
Kilindini Harbour is a large, natural deep-water inlet extending inland from Mombasa, Kenya. It is 25-30 fathoms at its deepest center. It serves as the harbour for Mombasa, with a hinterland extending to Uganda and Sudan. Kilindini Harbour is the main part of the Port of Mombasa, the only...
and is run by the Kenya Ports Authority
Kenya Ports Authority
Kenya Ports Authority is a state corporation with the responsibility to "maintain, operate, improve and regulate all scheduled seaports" on the Indian Ocean coastline of Kenya, including principally Kilindini Harbour at Mombasa. Other KPA ports include Lamu, Malindi, Kilifi, Mtwapa, Kiunga,...
, it lies on the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
.
There are plans to build another international port in Lamu
Lamu
-Threats to Lamu:In a 2010 report titled Saving Our Vanishing Heritage, Global Heritage Fund identified Lamu as one of 12 worldwide sites most "On the Verge" of irreparable loss and damage, citing insufficient management and development pressure as primary causes.- See also :* Juma and the Magic...
to the north east of Mombassa.
There is an inland port
Inland port
The term inland port is used in two different but related ways to mean either a port on an inland waterway or an inland site carrying out some functions of a seaport.- As a port on an inland waterway :...
at Kisumu
Kisumu
Kisumu is a port city in western Kenya at , with a population of 355,024 . It is the third largest city in Kenya, the principal city of western Kenya, the immediate former capital of Nyanza Province and the headquarters of Kisumu County. It has a municipal charter but no city charter...
which serves Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to discover this lake....
.
Regulators
The following Kenyan state corporations are involved in the regulation of transport:- Air Accident Investigation Unit
- Kenya Airports Authority
- Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
- Kenya Ferry Services Limited
- Kenya National Shipping Line
- Kenya Pipeline Company
- Kenya Ports Authority
- Kenya Railways Corporation
- Kenya Roads Board
- National Irrigation Board
External links
- Getting around in Kenya from Lonely PlanetLonely PlanetLonely Planet is the largest travel guide book and digital media publisher in the world. The company is owned by BBC Worldwide, which bought a 75% share from the founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler in 2007 and the final 25% in February 2011...