Kenya has reached a historic moment with the launch of a new grain handling and storage port in Embakasi, Nairobi. The Embakasi Grain Terminal, commissioned by President William Ruto, is built by Grain Bulk Handlers Ltd (GBHL) and is essential to modernizing the movement and storage of grains from the coast to inland terminals using standard gauge rail.

The new facility will provide immense benefits to millers and manufacturers, allowing them to quickly discharge, store, and transport grain from ships to the inland Nairobi terminal. This will ensure greater efficiency and reduce the cost of logistics, which will ultimately contribute to food security in the country. President Ruto expressed his optimism that the terminal would play a crucial role in addressing this issue.

Additionally, the SGR terminal will contribute significantly to the commercial utilization of the standard gauge railway, which is a critical component of Kenya’s national transportation infrastructure. This will enable the country to become more connected and provide faster and more efficient transportation of goods across the country.

The journey to the successful completion of this project was not without its challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, GBHL was able to overcome these challenges with the support and commitment of stakeholders and complete the project on schedule. The terminal will provide immense benefits to customers and the region, and also create new employment opportunities, providing a boost to the local economy and creating a ripple effect across the supply chain.

The primary function of the Embakasi terminal is to receive, store, and discharge grains as per demand through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). The project will increase trade flows, and clients will enjoy savings by collecting grain in bulk with the option for bagged. The terminal provides a seamless, point-to-point logistics solution with a number of advantages, such as a customs clearing facility on-site, decreased charges and theft, lower inventory costs, and shorter transit times.

GBHL owns and operates two specialized dry bulk discharge terminals at the Port of Mombasa with a total capacity of 414,300 metric tonnes. These terminals include a 258,500 metric tonne terminal for handling grain and a 155,800 metric tonne terminal for other dry bulk cargo. The new Embakasi Grain Terminal will be a valuable addition to GBHL’s existing facilities and will further strengthen their position as a leading player in the grain handling and storage industry in Kenya.