Transport in Kenya compares well with other East African countries. Kenya has an extensive network of paved and unpaved roads. Its railway system links the nation's ports and major cities and connects Kenya with neighbouring Uganda. There are 15 airports with paved runways.
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According to the Kenya Roads Board, Kenya has 160,886 kilometres (99,970 mi) of roads with all but 11,189 kilometres (6,953 mi) unpaved; they are currently classified into the following categories:[1]
| Class | Description | Purpose | Roads | Paved | Unpaved | Total (in km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | International Trunk Roads | Link centres of international importance and cross international boundaries or terminate at international ports or airports. | A1, A2, A3, A14, A23, A104, A109 | 2,772 | 816 | 3,588 |
| B | National Trunk Roads | Link nationally important centres (e.g. Provincial headquarters). | B1, B3, B8 | 1,489 | 1,156 | 2,645 |
| C | Primary Roads | Link provincially important centres to each other or to higher class roads (e.g. District headquarters). | C107, C111, C115 | 2,693 | 5,164 | 7,857 |
| D | Secondary Roads | Link locally important centres to each other, or to more important centres or to a higher class road (e.g. divisional headquarters). | 1,238 | 9,483 | 10,721 | |
| E | Minor Roads | Any link to a minor centre. | 577 | 26,071 | 26,649 | |
| SPR | Special Purpose Roads | Government Roads (G) Settlement Roads (L) Rural Access Roads (R) Sugar Roads (S) Tea Roads (T) Wheat Roads (W) |
100 | 10,376 | 10,476 | |
| U | Unclassified | All other public roads and streets | 2,318 | 96,623 | 98,941 |
There are around 25,000 matatus (minibuses), which constitute the bulk of the country's public transport system. In February 2004 the Ministry of Transport introduced new regulations governing the operation of Matatus. These regulations include: the compulsory fitting of safety belts and speed governors. In addition, standing on matatus was banned. As a result of these regulations, many matatus were taken off the road, which caused great disruption to public transport, forcing many people to walk to work. Now the situation has stabilised, and the new regulations have resulted in a great reduction of the number of people killed and injured in accidents. Due to lax enforcement after the initial push, the number of deaths in road accidents had increased in recent years.
Once the largest bus company in Kenya, Kenya Bus Services, ran into financial difficulties, forcing them to reduce the number of buses operated. They are currently operating minibuses within Nairobi city, although new, smaller, city buses offering passengers higher standards of comfort and safety have been introduced on some inner-city routes.
Coast Bus, the oldest bus operator in Kenya, runs a high class day and night service between Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa. Ascott operates minivans offering shuttle service between Nairobi and Kisii; they offer snacks on board. The Akamba Public Road Services, a private company which runs the Akamba Bus service operates day and night passenger bus and courier services to a number of destinations in Western Kenya, Rift Valley, Mombasa and East African towns of Kampala and Mwanza. A new service has been started from Kisumu to Kigali in Rwanda. Other reputable bus companies in Kenya include Modern Coast,Nyamira Express, Otange, MASH and Crown Bus but there are a number of other companies which offer inter-city services such as Eldoret Express, Mbukinya,The Gardian, Kalita Coaches and Palmdam.There also number of shuttle companies operating van to western Kenya such as Transline msafiri, Transline classic, Premium shuttles, Nyanza shuttle, North Rift, Molo Line.
Two routes in the Trans-African Highway network pass through Kenya and the capital, Nairobi:
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, located in Nairobi, is Kenya's largest airport and serves the most destinations. Some international flights go to Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Kisumu Airport will be upgraded to an international airport in 2011.
total: 210
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 115
under 914 m: 84 (2006)
Many airports with unpaved runways serve private purposes, such as private game parks and safari lodges, but are still serviced by airlines like AirKenya
Total: 2,778 km (1,726 mi)
Metre gauge: 2,778 km 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) gauge
The former Uganda Railway, was run by the company East African Railways. It jointly served the present countries of Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. Since the dissolution of the EAR corporation in 1977, the national company Kenya Railways Corporation runs the former Uganda Railway and its branches in Kenya. The most important line in the country runs between the port of Mombasa and Nairobi, sleeping car accommodation is offered for tourists.
In 2006, the Rift Valley Railways Consortium led by South African companies took over the operation of the Kenyan and Ugandan railway network on a contract lasting 25 years, with the opportunity of renewal. After criticism from the Kenya Railways Corporation, RVR doubled the frequency of service, and also imposed restrictions to reduce train derailments caused by the ageing infrastructure. [2]
RVR run passenger trains within Kenya only, primarily from Nairobi to Mombasa but also to local towns such as Kisumu. Passenger services on these lines are offered on peak periods only. Freight services are the bulk of RVR's operations.
In 2008, agreements were made with Uganda about gauge standardisation. [3]
Part of the Lake Victoria system is within the boundaries of Kenya. Kenya has a major international port at Mombasa, serving both Kenya and Uganda.
Total:" 3 ships (with a volume of 1,000 gross register tons (GRT) or over) 6,049 GRT/7,082 metric tons deadweight (DWT)
By type: passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1
Registered in other countries: 6 (2006)
Mombasa has the only commercial port that reaches international standards. Mombasa's commercial port is called Kilindini Harbour and is run by the Kenya Ports Authority, it lies on the Indian Ocean.
There are plans to build another international port in Lamu to the north east of Mombassa.
There is an inland port at Kisumu which serves Lake Victoria.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the CIA World Factbook.
Regulators
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