(KISUMU COUNTY) – The Kisumu Safari Train is expected to return to service by December 2025, just in time for the Christmas travel season. Kenya Railways says it is in the final stages of repairing the Uplands to Longonot section of the meter gauge line, which was severely damaged by heavy rains in April last year.
The corporation confirmed that more than 70 per cent of the repair works are now complete. Engineers are racing to meet the December deadline, which will reconnect Nairobi to Kisumu and boost both domestic tourism and regional trade.
According to Kenya Railways, the rehabilitation includes laying new culverts, reinforcing embankments, and improving drainage systems to protect the track from future flooding. The goal is to restore reliable passenger and freight services across the corridor, which links Central Kenya with the Lake Region and the Great Lakes trade route.
When torrential rains struck in April 2024, the damage to the line between Uplands, Kijabe, and Longonot forced a full shutdown of both passenger and freight services. Former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had estimated that the total cost of restoration would reach KSh 1 billion (about USD 7.75 million).
| Estimated Repair Cost | In Kenya Shillings (KSh) | In US Dollars (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Railway repair works | 1,000,000,000 | 7,750,000 |
The disruption hit both local travellers and regional cargo movement. Freight trains from Mombasa to western Kenya and beyond, serving markets in Uganda and South Sudan, had to be rerouted through longer and costlier paths. Businesses along the Northern Corridor reported increased logistics expenses due to the detours.
With the reopening now in sight, Kenya Railways says the restored line will re-establish a vital connection for trade and tourism. “When it reopens in December, the meter gauge railway will restore a key link between Central and Western Kenya,” a spokesperson said. “It will also pave the way for the return of the Kisumu Safari Train, which will boost travel, trade, and tourism across the Lake Region.”
The agency added that freight services will also resume, easing cargo transport to western Kenya and transit destinations such as Uganda and South Sudan. The move is expected to strengthen Kenya’s role as a transport and logistics hub for East and Central Africa.
The Kisumu Safari Train, known for its scenic route through the Rift Valley and lush highlands, is expected to attract strong demand during the festive period. The return of the service marks a key milestone in Kenya’s efforts to modernise and secure its railway network against climate related damage.