By Nemuel Ondima
Kenya Railways has marked a major milestone toward restoring freight connectivity after successfully conducting a test run along the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot railway section.
The test ride signals renewed readiness to resume operations on the Metre Gauge Railway corridor, following months of disruption caused by extreme weather.
Rail Services along this critical stretch were suspended after above-normal rainfall in April and May 2024 led to severe damage, with sections of the track near Kijabe washed away and rendered impassable.
The disruption significantly affected rail transport between the Port of Mombasa, Kenya’s hinterland, and neighbouring countries, interrupting the movement of farm inputs, agricultural produce, steel products, containerised cargo, and other conventional freight.
Speaking during the test run, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga described the achievement as a major boost to the corporation’s operations and to regional trade.
“We are delighted to achieve this important milestone today.
This clears the way for us to resume normal operations and continue offering safe, reliable, and efficient services to our clients,” Mainga said.
He noted that the successful test runs pave the way for the resumption of freight services, bringing relief to traders and manufacturers in Kenya’s western region as well as neighbouring countries including Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, all of which rely heavily on the metre gauge network for cross-border trade.
Kenya Railways confirmed that full restoration of the affected railway track has been completed.
While train operations are set to resume along the corridor, additional protection works and river training works will continue concurrently to strengthen the line against future weather-related risks.
The reopening of the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot section is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce transport costs, and restore confidence among traders who depend on rail for bulk cargo movement. It also reinforces the strategic role of the Metre Gauge Railway in supporting regional commerce and economic integration.
With operations now nearing full resumption, Kenya Railways says it remains committed to maintaining infrastructure resilience and ensuring uninterrupted, dependable rail services across the network.
