Kenya Railways Corporation has announced that the date when the first cargo train will make its maiden trip on the newly renovated Nakuru-Kisumu railway line.
Speaking after inspection of the new line on Wednesday, March 25, KRC Managing Director Phillip Mainga also noted that passenger train on the route was expected to make its first trip sometime in November.
This is after Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), which was tasked with rehabilitating the line, handed over the renovated railway line during the inspection.
The MD further noted that the Corporation has embarked on renovating 18 stations found along the railway line.
“We are looking forward to having a Christmas gift for the people of this region by moving the first passenger train between November and December.
“Within a month, we will have repaired the stations. Work has already started in most of them. We are planning to fence them off to secure them since they will be commercial hubs,” stated Mainga.
The line, which is being renovated at a cost of Ksh3.7 billion, had been dormant since 2008.
“There are so many other things, but we are looking forward to having this line operational by June.
“Remember we have been using Malaba as the only corridor in the North, but now with Nakuru-Kisumu coming up we, are creating two avenues where cargo will be moving to the region,” he added.
Mainga made the announcement at Fort Ternan after a three-day inspection tour attended by Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya and other government officials.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Magu Mutindika, who was part of the inspecting team, noted that the railway line had dilapidated after vandals stole metals for sell.
“We have cautioned the vandals. If you are caught with railway line materials, I think what you deserve is a death sentence,” he stated.
Traders along the route are hopeful that the revival will spur their businesses and economic well being.
