Kenya Railways to Resume Freight Services on Restored Uplands-Kijabe-Longonot Meter Gauge Line

Kenya Railways Corporation has confirmed that restoration of the Uplands-Kijabe-Longonot section of the Meter Gauge Railway is advancing, with more than 70 percent of the work now complete. The line suffered extensive damage in April 2024 when heavy rains triggered severe washaways, cutting off at least five sections between Rironi and Longonot. Both passenger and freight traffic came to a halt along this critical corridor.

The affected stretch forms part of the broader metre gauge network linking Central Kenya to Western regions and beyond. Damage from the floods disrupted cargo flows, including shipments from Mombasa toward Kampala in Uganda. Officials have described the repairs as essential to maintaining the Northern Corridor as a competitive transport route for regional trade.

Restoration efforts have focused on rebuilding the washed-out portions, with Kenya Railways reporting steady progress since the initial assessment in mid-2024. Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen visited the site shortly after the damage occurred, accompanied by senior officials, including Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar and Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga. The inspection underscored the urgency of returning services.

Once the line reopens in December 2025, freight movements will restart, supporting the evacuation of goods from the Naivasha Inland Container Depot and improving cargo delivery to western Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and other neighbouring markets. The resumption will also allow the return of passenger services, including the Kisumu Safari Train, which has remained suspended since the disruption.