SGR stopover in Voi unlocks business and tourism potential in Taita Taveta County

HARUN MASINDE-PCO

Kenya Railways has recorded an increase in passenger numbers boarding and alighting at Voi Station since the introduction of a stopover for the Madaraka Express passenger night train in December 2024.

According to Managing Director Mr. Phillip Mainga, an average of 900 passengers board and alight in Voi weekly, reflecting the vibrancy of a thriving region and a community revitalized by improved rail connectivity.

“In addition to the previous stopovers at 18:48 hrs from Nairobi and 16:36 hrs from Mombasa with the afternoon train, the newly introduced three-minute stopover at 02:05 hrs from Nairobi and 11:45 hrs from Mombasa has unlocked vast potential for local businesses and tourism,” Mainga said.

He added that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), through the Madaraka Express Passenger Service, is not just a mode of transport but also a catalyst for economic growth.

According to Mainga, taxi drivers in Voi are now benefiting from the steady influx of passengers at the station. What might have seemed like a minor adjustment is now creating significant ripples in tourism, employment, and investment, all at the doorstep of this bustling town.

From tourists eager to explore Tsavo National Park—one of Kenya’s oldest and largest national parks—to those experiencing the region’s cultural heritage, the stopover is proving invaluable.

It is also generating both direct and indirect employment opportunities for locals, he said. “For many, railways conjure images of trains lumbering along tracks. But for Kenya Railways, it is a symbol of development, resilience, and transformation for the nation,” the director concluded. 

Mainga added that discussions between Kenya Railways and the Taita-Taveta County Government on rehabilitation of the 130-kilometer Meter Gauge Railway line from Voi to Taveta are at an advanced stage.

The line, which has been dormant since 2006 will connect Tanzania at the Holili border and holds an enormous promise for regional growth, he added.

The Voi- Taveta railway line will connect Kenya to Tanzania’s Moshi region, opening a direct link to one of East Africa’s most important tourist hubs, Mount Kilimanjaro, the MD added.

With feasibility studies already completed, the project will boost regional tourism and strengthen economic ties between the two countries, he said. Mainga said the development of the Voi-Taveta railway line will create an integrated freight system complete with Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) and Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) trans-shipment facilities at Voi and MGR-SGR cargo handling at Taveta.

“This development will result in increased trade, higher volumes of goods moving seamlessly between Kenya and Tanzania and a more efficient and reliable freight network that benefits industries across the region boosting the significant role the Kenya Railways plays in contributing three per cent of Kenya’s GDP,” he said.

“The ongoing efforts to expand services, revitalize old routes and integrate more technology reflect the company’s drive to stay ahead in a competitive and fast paced world,” he added.

He added that the rapid changes where industries and economies must constantly adapt to survive, Kenya Railways is keeping pace with global progress by connecting cities, counties, countries and opening opportunities.