Transport in Kenya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenya has a relatively well-developed transport system that compares well with other counties in the region. Kenya has an extensive network of paved and unpaved roads. The railway system links the nations ports and major cities. A line also connects Kenya with neighbouring Uganda. There are 15 airports with paved runways.
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[edit] Roads
Roads in Kenya 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, leading to a national total of 177,765 km (2004)
Kenya has one of the better paved road networks and some of the busiest roads south of the Sahara, but maintenance is often neglected.
[edit] Bus transport
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 great reduction in the number of people killed and injured in accidents. Due to lax enforcement after the initial push the number of deaths in road accidents has increased in recent years.
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 worsening existing problems with public transport. Although new, smaller, city buses, that offer passengers higher standards of comfort and safety have been introduced on some inner-city routes.
[edit] 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 heavily used routes in the network, and includes one of the longest complete paved sections. However, it still has missing links to the north and it is not practical to travel to Cairo without off-road vehicles.
- The Lagos-Mombasa Highway, Trans-African Highway 8, links East Africa and West Africa. It is only complete between the Ugandan–DR Congo border and Mombasa, linking the African Great Lakes region to the sea. It is referred to as the 'Trans-African Highway'.
[edit] Airports
[edit] 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 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 2008.
[edit] 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
[edit] Railways
See also: Rail transport in Kenya
Total: 2,778 km (1,726 mi)
Metre gauge: 2,778 km 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 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. [1]
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. [2]
[edit] Railway links with adjacent countries
Ethiopia - no - same 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in) gauge
Somalia - no railways
Sudan - no - proposed link to Juba, Sudan (2005) break-of-gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in)/1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Tanzania - same 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in) gauge - maybe defunct
Uganda - yes - same gauge - 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in)
[edit] 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.
[edit] Merchant Marine
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)
[edit] Ports and harbors
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.
[edit] Pipelines
transporting Petroleum products, 483 km - possible extension to Uganda
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- lonelyplanet.com's article on Getting around in Kenya
- http://www.kenyaweb.com/transport/transporters.html
- Study on matatu, 1999
- Flight to Kenya
State corporations that regulate transport [3]
- Air Accident Investigation Unit
- Kenya Airports Authority
- Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
- Kenya Ferry Services Limited
- Kenya National Shipping Line
- Kenya Pipeline Company
- Kenya Ports Authority
- Kenya Railways Corporation
- Kenya Roads Board
- National Irrigation Board
[edit] References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the CIA World Factbook.
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