Resumption of Railway Services Along Uplands -kijabe-longonot Inches Close

By Elijah Odanga Kenya Railways has successfully run a test ride from Uplands railway station to Kijabe - Longonot Railway station. The test run is in preparation for resumption of operations on the Metre Gauge Railway corridor between Uplands-Kijabe-Longonot. Operations along this corridor stopped following the above normal rainfall in April/May 2024, where sections of the railway line along Kijabe were washed away rendering the line impassable. The incident affected rail transportation between Mombasa, Kenya's hinterland and neighboring countries. Freight transportation was disrupted, affecting transportation of farm inputs, farm produce, steel products, containerized cargo and other conventional cargo. Speaking during the test ride, Kenya Railways Managing Director Mr. Philip Mainga said that the development is a big boost to Kenya Railways’; operations. Freight transportation is set to resume after successful test runs have been conducted ; this milestone is a big relief to traders from Kenya’s Western region and those from neighbouring countries of Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Congo. “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;” he said. Full restoration of the railway track is complete, protection works & rived training works will continue even as train operations commence within the section