Kenya Railways commenced transportation of the GOK subsidized fertilizer on Friday 3, 2023 after His Excellency Deputy President Hon. Rigathi Gachagua E.G.H flagged off batches of the product at the Changamwe Railway yard in Mombasa County.

This comes after the Kenyan Government prioritized agricultural production subsidies as a means of increasing productivity and lowering cost of living for Kenyans while ensuring the country’s food security. As one of the pillars of Kenya’s economic recovery strategy, the Government has committed to achieving sustainable agricultural growth and transforming the agriculture sector.

In his communiqué to Media Houses, Kenya Railways Managing Director Mr. Phillip Mainga said that Kenya Railways has been mandated to transport the GOK’s fertilizer.

“Our contribution towards the government’s agenda is to offer cost-effective transport, which translates to lower costs of bags of fertilizer. In partnership with the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) as the cargo owner and the National Cereals & Produce Board (NCPB) as the provider of warehousing services, KR will utilize both the MGR and SGR to transport this commodity given that we have the requisite assets in terms of covered and flat wagons to lift the consignment” he said.

“It is important to note that the Corporation has also restored the rail lines at the quayside within the Kilindini port which will ensure that rail is able to load cargo directly from the vessel onto wagons thereby eliminating the first-mile costs making rail services cost-effective’. He added.

The distribution of this product began in January 2023 and is set to continue until March ahead of the expected long-rains and consequently the start of planting season.