Despite Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) taking over 98 per cent of operations on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), key functions remain under the management of the Chinese firm Africa Star Railway Operation Company (Afristar), delaying full local control until December 2025.
Kenya Railways had initially planned to complete the takeover by May 2022, later pushing the deadline to June 2025.
However, CEO Philip Mainga confirmed that full operational control is now expected by the end of 2025, citing unresolved technical issues. "People have been asking so many questions, and I can now confirm we have successfully taken over from the Chinese, reaching 98 per cent.
By December 2025, we will be at 100 per cent," Mainga said.
