Security personnel is seen at Nairobi Terminus of Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, May 31, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

MOMBASA, Kenya - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday launched the passenger train service of the 480-km Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

Kenyatta said the railway marks a new chapter in the history of Kenya.

The modern railway will replace the meter-gauge railway that was constructed more than 100 years ago during the British colonial rule, Kenyatta said.

"Today we celebrate the laying of one of the key cornerstones to Kenya's journey of transformation to an industrial, prosperous and middle income country," he said ahead of embarking on the inaugural trip from Mombasa to Nairobi.

The launch came one day after the Kenyan leader launched the first SGR cargo service between the two cities.

Kenyatta said that the SGR was made possible due to the close Sino-Kenya friendship.

"I want to thank our partner and true friend, China for the support that has enabled the construction and completion of the project after only two and a half years," he added.

The 3.8-billion-US dollar infrastructure project was constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with 90 percent of the funding coming from China.