Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) generated Sh11.6 billion, about $89.7 million, in combined passenger and freight revenue in the first half of 2026, as traffic on the railway increased during the period.
Revenue from passenger services rose 14.6 percent to Sh2.37 billion ($18.3 million) in the six months to June, up from Sh2.07 billion ($16 million) recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The increase in passenger earnings contributed to the overall growth in SGR operating revenue, with higher passenger and cargo traffic strengthening the railway’s contribution to Kenya’s transport sector.
The passenger revenue increase represents an additional Sh300 million (about $2.3 million) compared with the first half of 2025.
The SGR has become an important component of Kenya’s rail transport network, linking the port city of Mombasa with Nairobi and supporting the movement of both passengers and freight.
The latest figures highlight the continued role of rail transport in facilitating domestic travel and the movement of goods, while providing an alternative to road transportation.
With combined SGR revenue reaching Sh11.6 billion ($89.7 million) in the first half of 2026, the performance underscores the scale of economic activity being generated through Kenya’s modern rail network.
