This archive report was first published on 7 August 2020.
On August 7, 2020, Kenya Railways unveiled its freight rate charges as it prepares to begin operations in Nanyuki town.
The corporation has set different rates for various routes and cargo types, with transporters from Mombasa to Nanyuki to pay Sh4,720 per tonne.
For cargo from Athi River to Sagana, transporters will incur a fee of Sh846 per tonne.
Additionally, cargo from Nanyuki to Nairobi will be charged Sh730 per tonne, while those from Sagana to Nairobi will be charged Sh400 per tonne.
For petroleum products, transporters will pay Sh1,640 per tonne to ferry petrol from Nairobi to Nanyuki, and Sh4,940 per tonne from Mombasa to Nanyuki.
Transporting diesel from Nairobi to Nanyuki will cost Sh1,560 per tonne, while from Mombasa to Nanyuki, transporters will incur a cost of Sh4,720 per tonne.
Kenya Railways has also announced that livestock being transported will be charged according to the distance covered.
For short distances up to 200 kilometres, transporters moving big animals will pay Sh930 per head and Sh465 per head for small animals.
For longer distances up to 250 kilometres, transporters will pay Sh1,400 for big animals per head and Sh700 for small animal per head.
Mount Kenya Focus for Trade Executives Diana Kendi welcomed the development, saying the railway services will cut logistic costs for businessmen in the region.
"If farmers transport food at a cheaper price, traders and consumers will get them at cheaper prices," she said.
