Transport in Kenya

Kenya has a relatively well-developed transport system compared to neighbouring countries in Africa. The system consists of extensive paved and unpaved roads, railways with links to ports and neighbour Uganda, and 15 airports with paved runways.

Roads

"Total:" 63,265 km (interurban roads)

"Paved:" 8,933 km

"Unpaved:" 54,332 km

"Note:" there also are 100,000 km of rural roads and 14,500 km of urban roads for a national total of 177,765 km (2004)

Kenya has one of the best paved highway networks and some of the busiest roads south of the Sahara, but maintenance is often neglected.

There are ca. 25,000 matatus (minibuses), which constitute ca. 78 percent of the country’s public transport system. In February 2004 the Ministry of Transport introduced new regulations governing the safety of Matatus. Amongst these were the compulsory fitting of safety belts and speed governors. In addition, standing on matatus was also 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. The situation thereafter normalised with a great reduction in the number of people killed and injured in matatu accidents. More recently however, the initial impetus that drove this Ministry in the newly elected government to implement these rules has largely waned. This has resulted in the previous state of affairs resuming, which means matatus are still a relatively dangerous form of transportation.

More recently, the largest bus company in Kenya (Kenya Bus Services) has run into financial difficulties, which has forced them to reduce the number of buses they can operate. However, there has also been the introduction of smaller, city buses, that offer passengers higher standards of comfort and safety. [http://www.afrika.no/Detailed/4802.htm] [http://www.safari.cc/news4.html] [http://allafrica.com/stories/200402050185.html]

International highways

Two routes in the Trans-African Highway network pass through Kenya and the capital, Nairobi:
* The Cairo-Cape Town Highway, Trans-African Highway 4, linking North Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. From Nairobi southwards this is one of the most used of the routes in the network, and includes one of the longest complete paved sections, but it has missing links to the north and is not practical for travel to Cairo without off-road vehicles and permits.
* The Lagos-Mombasa Highway, Trans-African Highway 8, linking East Africa and West Africa. This is complete only between the Uganda–DR Congo border and Mombasa, linking the African Great Lakes region to the sea. It is commonly called the 'Trans-Africa Highway' but cannot be used presently to reach West Africa.

Airports

Airports - with paved runways

"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 one of Kenya's large aviation facilities and the airport that serves the country with the most international flights. Some international flights go to Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Kisumu Airport will be upgraded to an international airport in 2008.

Airports - with unpaved runways:

"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

Railways

"See also: Rail transport in Kenya"

"Total:" 2,778 km

"Narrow gauge:" 2,778 km 1000 mm gauge

The former Uganda Railway, was run by the company East African Railways jointly for the countries of Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya after WWI. 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, where sleeping car accommodation is offered for tourists.

In 2006, the Rift Valley Railways Consortium led by South African companies took operating control of the Kenya and Uganda railways as part of a contract lasting at least 25 years. After criticism from the Kenya Railways Corporation, RVR doubled the frequency of service, and also imposed restrictions to reduce derailments on the ageing infrastructure. [http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=112096]

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.

Waterways

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.

Merchant Marine

"Total:" 3 ships (with a volume of GRT|1,000|first=yes or over) GRT|6,049/DWT|7,082|metric|first=yes

"By type:" passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1

"Registered in other countries:" 6 (2006)

Ports and harbours

Mombasa has the only commercial port of international standards, Kilindini Harbour run by the Kenya Ports Authority. It lies on the Indian Ocean.

There are plans to build another international port in Lamu to the northeast of Mombassa.

There is an inland port in Kisumu which lies on Lake Victoria.

Pipelines

Petroleum products 483 km - possible extension to Uganda

See also

* Matatu
* Kenya
* Akamba bus

External links

* [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/africa/kenya/get.htm#around lonelyplanet.com's article on Getting around in Kenya]
*http://www.world66.com/africa/kenya/gettingaround
*http://www.kenyaweb.com/transport/transporters.html
* [http://www.its.usyd.edu.au/conferences/thredbo/thredbo_papers_6/MELECK~1.DOC Study on matatu, 1999]
* [http://www.flight-to-kenya.com Flight to Kenya]