All cargo destined for Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan will be transported via standard gauge railway (SGR) for clearance at the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD) starting June 1.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said it will be mandatory for all cargo imported through the port of Mombasa to be hauled through SGR and that all mechanisms are being put in place to ensure smooth clearance of the cargo in Naivasha.

“President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Uganda) and President Salva Mayardit Kiir of South Sudan have considered appropriate cross-border transportation modalities to reduce human traffic without impacting negatively on transportation of cargo across the borders and the use of SGR is one of them,” said Mr Macharia in a statement.

Early this month, Kenya Railways Corporation launched direct SGR freight service for all transit cargo to be ferried directly from Mombasa port to Naivasha ICD where trucks will pick them for onward transportation.

Already, players in the logistics sector have welcomed the new direct SGR cargo freight from the Port of Mombasa to Naivasha, which will cost Sh60,000 for a 20-foot container and Sh85,000 for a 40-foot container of up to 20 tonnes and Sh91,000 for the same container weighing above 21 tonnes.