Kenya Railways has conducted a successful test ride on the railway line that runs from Uplands to Kijabe and Longonot to check if everything is working properly before reopening it for regular service.
The train services were abruptly halted following heavy rains in April and May 2024. These heavy rains caused parts of the railway track in Kijabe to be washed away, making it unsafe for trains to travel.
Stopping the train services would affect the movement of goods, necessitating difficulty in transporting things like farm supplies, crops, steel products, and other cargo. The disruption impacted not just local businesses but also trade with neighbouring countries like Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Congo.
Presiding over the exercise and statement issue, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga told the media on site that getting the railway back in operation is a significant achievement towards enhancing movement of passengers and goods on that route and to western Kenya.
Maingi expressed happiness about this milestone, which he said would help traders in Kenya and neighbouring countries by making transportation easier and more reliable again.
“While train services will resume soon, Kenya Railways will continue to work on making sure the railway track is fully restored and safe for use,” said Mainga, adding that they will also conduct additional protective measures to prevent future damage. This is good news for local businesses and trade with nearby countries, as it will help improve the transportation of goods. Mainga hailed the entire team of engineers and other professionals on site who braved difficult working conditions to bring the track to normalcy.
