Cargo owners using Mombasa Port will start seeing results of a revitalised rail system in less than six months, the newly appointed executive chairman of the troubled Rift Valley Railways has said.

Mr Brown Ondego, however, said it would take up to six years to completely turn around the RVR.

Mr Ondego blamed lac k of modern equipment, vandalism and a disgruntled workforce due to poor terms of service for the current situation.

Speaking after a tour of various stations in Mombasa on Wednesday, he said the new management had come up with measures to ensure that changes start being seen in the shortest time possible.

Although the six years could seem like a long time, cargo owners who have been forced to use the road, an expensive alternative, will welcome the plans to revive the rail system.

Currently, the railway carries less than 10 per cent of the total cargo that leaves the port.

Experts say this figure is disappointing since the world benchmarks are 70 per cent for the rail system and 30 per cent for the road system.

Mr Ondego said an overhaul of the rail system would also reduce congestion at the port.