Tourism stakeholders in Mombasa have lauded the introduction of Mombasa commuter rail service terming it a big boost to the industry. Hoteliers and other stakeholders in the hospitality industry are upbeat about the roll-on economic effect, terming the new service as inspirational and a game-changer.

Residents interviewed also said the new railway connection would create employment in tourism, transport and hospitality sectors.

 Mombasa and other coastal areas are the preferred holiday destinations for many Kenyans and foreign tourists to savour beautiful sandy beaches that stretched from Vanga in the south to Shungwaya in the north coast.

The national government has invested Ksh6 billion in refurbishment of the Old Mombasa Railway Station into a modern facility that links the standard gauge railway terminus in Miritini to Mombasa’s central business district (CBD).

The new commuter service commissioned on Wednesday by President William Ruto is a 13.8-kilometre journey and is expected to move up to 4,000 passengers daily, heralding a new era in urban transport and connectivity.

This development is expected to significantly boost Mombasa’s economy and tourism, offering scenic journeys through Changamwe East, Changamwe West, Miritini and Mazeras.

“This initiative will ease passenger flow between the mainland and Mombasa Island resulting in more local and international visitors,” General Manager of Reef Beach Hotel Hamid Sheikh said.

Sheikh noted the upgrading of the Mombasa Railway Station would help reduce travel time that will encourage more domestic visitors to the coastal region.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT), Mombasa County Chapter Chairperson Janet Chamia who welcomed the new service saying it will bring more domestic visitors to the coastal city.

Chamia noted that the coastal region is a beneficiary of mega infrastructure projects, which would enhance tourism, trade and investments.

According to Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, the government has invested significantly in this last-mile connector to ensure that customers arriving at the SGR station are able to get seamless connections to the Island.

“The line itself cost Ksh3.4 billion, with the rest of the funds going into supporting other related facilities,” Chirchir said.

The cabinet secretary added that the government is targeting to move up to 4,000 passengers daily through the upgraded link, a development expected to significantly reduce road congestion, particularly around Changamwe and the busy Northern Corridor Road that connects Kenya to Uganda and Rwanda.

He observed that the rail commuter facility is among other several infrastructure development projects taking shape in Mombasa at unparalleled speed and are set to enhance its image as the gateway to East and Central Africa and as a tourism hub.

Chirchir said the government has embarked on construction on several road projects that had stalled due to land compensation disputes.

“With the commissioning of the Miritini interchange and the SGR-Mombasa line, Mombasa’s infrastructure landscape is undergoing a major transformation,” the cabinet secretary said.

Among the top mega projects in the seaside city is the Ksh16 billion three-decker Changamwe Interchange and the Ksh22 billion Dongo Kundu Bypass also known as the Mombasa Southern Bypass.

The Changamwe interchange is a crucial section of the Mombasa-Mariakani Road project and falls under Lot 1 of the project (Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu section).

Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said the construction and upgrading of infrastructure projects worth billions of shillings by the national government will ease transportation of goods and passengers and boost the economy of the coastal city.

“The upgrades and expansion of local road infrastructure projects will greatly improve economic activities and fortunes in the coastal county,” Onyancha said.

Onyancha who also chairs the Coast NGD-Regional Implementation Coordination Management Committee says the government is committed to improving road infrastructure and delivery of quality projects in the region. She says the many more new road projects will in the long run ease the evacuation of cargo to and from the port of Mombasa which is experiencing increased shipping activities.

The regional commissioner noted the construction of the new roads and upgrading of the existing ones will help reduce travel time, improve road connectivity as well as improve socio-economic activities in the coastal city and beyond.

Onyancha noted that apart from decongesting Mombasa City the major road works would also facilitate the growth of the tourism sector in the region.

“The major upgrades will relieve congestion on existing infrastructure and unlock the economic opportunities in the region by helping create jobs,” regional commissioner said.

She further said the completed and ongoing massive infrastructure improvement would open up the tourist resort city for business and create jobs for locals.

“These infrastructure upgrades will go a long way towards unlocking the economic potential of Mombasa as a gateway to the East African region,” Onyancha said.

The regional commissioner said all these projects represent major investment in transport infrastructure, which is a driver for economic growth and prosperity.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Mohamed Hassan