Kenya Railways Gives Update on Resumption of Service To Western, Kampala

An undated image of police officers at a Kenya Railways terminal
An undated image of police officers at a Kenya Railways terminal.
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The Kenya Railways Corporation has announced the resumption of rail service to the Western region and the neighbouring countries in November 2021.

According to Kenya Railways Managing Director, Philip Mainga, traders will now be able to transport cargo from the Port of Mombasa to Nairobi, Kisumu and Bungoma. 

The upgraded railway line will connect to the recently refurbished Ksh3 billion Kisumu port. This will enable traders to ferry cargo to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Kenya Railways train at Nairobi Railways Club
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"One of the exciting parts is that we are going to have an interconnection between the Standard Gauge Railway and the Metre Gauge Railway at Naivasha," he stated.

"This will allow seamless movement of cargo from Mombasa to the East African region without having to transport it on road within the next two months."

Mainga added that the contractor is putting the finishing touches as the project is 80 percent complete. 

He also affirmed that Kenya Railways plans to introduce two direct cargo trains that will travel from Mombasa to Nairobi and Nakuru to Kisumu.

According to the KR Managing Director, the trip will take approximately 30 hours. 

The second train will do a 28-hour trip from Mombasa to Kampala.

"It will be now upon business people to decide whether to use a cargo train or use trailers on road," he stated.

Initially, the government had begun upgrading the old railway track from Nakuru to Kisumu in August 2020, in a bid to enhance trade to Uganda through Lake Victoria. 

The resumption of rail transport will enhance trade between Kenya and its neighbouring countries.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (in red) and other leaders during a tour of Kenya Railways
President Uhuru Kenyatta (in red) and other leaders during a tour of Kenya Railways.
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