Netherlands Royal Couple Tours Naivasha Inland Container Depot as Kenya’s First Reefer Container of Flowers Moves by Rail

Kenya has made significant strides in rehabilitating, upgrading, and developing infrastructure along the Northern Corridor and at the Port of Mombasa to facilitate regional and international trade over the past decade. This was highlighted by Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Mr Davis Chirchir, as he hosted the King of the Netherlands, His Majesty Willem-Alexander, and Queen Maxima during their visit to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot.

The tour follows the March 2024 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenya and the Netherlands to develop a Cool Logistics Corridor specifically for fresh produce exports. The Netherlands is a major importer of Kenya’s horticultural products, and this visit further strengthens the partnership between the two nations.

The visit also coincided with Kenya Railways’ milestone achievement in the development of the Cool Logistics Corridor, following the introduction of the first Reefer carriages to facilitate the transportation of perishable goods. This initiative will enable fresh produce from various collection centres to be transported by rail to Mombasa, and subsequently by sea to Europe and other markets.

This transition is key to ensuring quick, efficient, and sustainable transportation of perishables from Kenya’s hinterland and the wider East African region, while real-time temperature monitoring systems will guarantee product freshness throughout the journey.

Additionally, the Kenyan Government is shifting from air freight to rail and sea transport, a more environmentally sustainable option due to higher energy efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and the ability to transport larger volumes of goods with a reduced environmental impact.

The welcoming delegation included CS Lee Kinyanjui (Investments, Trade and Industry), Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture and Livestock Development), and PS Mohamed Daghar (State Department for Transport, CBS). Also present were Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga, EBS, and Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto.