Kenya Railways MD Philip Mainga leads other official during the test run of Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot railway corridor/Handout
The Kenya Railways Corporation has
announced that rehabilitation works on the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot railway
corridor are now fully complete, marking a major step towards the resumption of
freight services along the route.
In a statement issued on Monday, the
corporation said all core repair works have been concluded and successful test
rides conducted to confirm the safety and operational readiness of the line.
The only outstanding activity is slope protection, which is being finalised to
enhance long-term stability and safety in the affected areas.
Kenya Railways is now preparing to resume freight transportation through the Kijabe
corridor, a critical link connecting the port of Mombasa to Nyanza and Western
Kenya, as well as regional destinations including Uganda, Rwanda, the
Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
Following completion of the
rehabilitation works, the corporation successfully conducted a test run from
Uplands Railway Station to Kijabe–Longonot Railway Station. The test ride forms
part of preparations for the resumption of operations on the metre-gauge
railway corridor serving the Uplands, Kijabe and Longonot sections.
Operations along the corridor were
suspended after above-normal rainfall in April and May 2024 caused extensive
damage, washing away sections of the railway line around Kijabe and rendering
the route impassable. The incident disrupted rail transport between Mombasa,
Kenya’s hinterland and neighbouring countries.
The heavy rains also triggered widespread destruction in nearby communities, with at least 100 homes swept away and about 60 people killed.
Freight movement was severely affected,
disrupting the transportation of farm inputs, agricultural produce, steel
products, containerised cargo and other goods after the
corporation halted operations on the line.
Speaking during the test ride, Kenya
Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga described the development as a major
boost to the corporation’s operations and a significant relief to traders.
“Freight transportation is set to
resume after the successful test runs. This milestone brings relief to traders
from Western Kenya and neighbouring countries including Uganda, South Sudan,
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Mainga said.
He added that while the full
restoration of the railway track has been completed, protection works and river
training activities will continue even as train operations resume along the
affected section.
