Kenya Railways has announced the return of the Kisumu Safari Train, which had been out of operation for nearly a year, to cater to increased travel demand during the December holidays.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the rail operator said the service will resume on Friday, December 19, and run until January 12, 2026. The move is aimed at easing transport pressure for thousands of Kenyans travelling to the western region for the festivities.
The service will offer a more affordable and reliable alternative to public buses, which are often overwhelmed during the season. Travelling upcountry during Christmas is known for long queues, packed buses, and inflated fares due to high demand and limited availability.
The train will depart Nairobi Central Station at 5:30 pm and arrive in Kisumu at 6:30 am, with scheduled stops at Nairobi Terminus, Mai Mahiu, and various stations along the Rift Valley corridor.
A first-class ticket will cost Ksh2,400, while an economy class ticket will go for Ksh900. The full journey takes approximately 13 hours.
For the return trip, the train will leave Kisumu at 6:30 pm and arrive in Nairobi at 8:00 am, giving passengers a convenient overnight travel option.
Kenya Railways hopes the reintroduction will offer relief to travellers who often struggle with last-minute bookings and skyrocketing fares at major bus stations like Machakos Country Bus.
Public transport companies are notorious for fare hikes during the holidays, often pricing out low-income travellers. The Safari Train offers a safer, cost-effective, and scenic alternative during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The developments follow a similar one where the service introduced an additional passenger train on the Nairobi–Mombasa route to accommodate the surge in travellers during the festive season.
In a notice on Tuesday, December 2, the corporation said that the train will operate from Monday, December 8, to Monday, January 5.
According to the schedule, the additional train will depart from Nairobi at 9:40am, arrive in Voi at 1:35pm, and proceed to Mombasa, where it is expected to arrive at 3:55pm.
For the return leg, the train will always leave Mombasa at 4:30pm, stop in Voi at 6:15pm and arrive in Nairobi at 10:55 pm.
