The Nairobi-Suswa stretch of the Standard Gauge Railway launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, October 16, came under scrutiny as commuters voiced their complaints.
Daily Nation on Saturday, October 19, reported that passengers boarding the train had to pay more in some instances to complete their journey.
The train service had no direct link to Nairobi City which meant passengers had to drop at Syokimau on either trip.
Commuters from Rongai paid Ksh 100 to Syokimau where they took another train at Ksh50 to get to the city centre.
Ngong residents who paid at least Ksh 50 to come to work by road had to part with Ksh 100 to get to Syokimau with an additional Ksh 50 to the city centre.
The Ngong Station, located five kilometres from Ngong Town, forced passengers who wanted to use the trains to find an alternative means of transport to get there.
Passengers who used the trains had to be on time to link to train stations in Nairobi that included Makadara and Imara Daima.
Access to the stations caused local leaders and residents trouble as the roads in the area were yet to be upgraded especially around the Ngong station.
"Your Excellency we are requesting that these surrounding roads be upgraded to allow the locals to access the stations with ease. The link to Ngong Road from Ngong Station and the link road to Ongata Rongai Station need quick intervention,” Kajiado Governor Ole Lenku mentioned.
This also comes as Kenya Railways went back on the decision to have the trains operate from Monday through to Sunday.
In a notice posted online on Friday, October 18, the railways corporation stated that the train services would not operate as scheduled.
"The commuter rail service between Ngong Station through Ongata Rongai Station and Nairobi Terminus will not operate over the weekend. The service is not scheduled for operations on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and on National holidays," the notice read in part.
