The economic artery connecting the Port of Mombasa to Western Kenya and the Great Lakes region is pulsing again. Kenya Railways has announced the full resumption of freight services on the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot corridor after months of paralysis caused by flood damage.

The reopening is a critical relief for the logistics sector, which has been bleeding millions in alternative road transport costs since the line was washed away by the devastating rains of April 2024. Managing Director Philip Mainga confirmed that "100% of core repair works" are complete, with test runs successfully concluding this week.

Engineering Resilience

The repair was not just a patch-up job but a complete overhaul aimed at climate-proofing the century-old meter-gauge line. The Kijabe section, notorious for its steep gradient and susceptibility to landslides, has been reinforced with new slope protection structures and drainage systems.

• The Economic Impact: The line is the lifeline for farm inputs, steel, and containerized cargo heading to Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. Its closure had forced heavy cargo onto roads, accelerating wear and tear on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
• Safety First: "We have conducted rigorous test rides to ensure the line can handle heavy freight loads," Mainga assured. "The slope protection is the final layer of safety we are adding."
• Regional Connection: The resumption also paves the way for the full return of the Kisumu Safari Train, boosting tourism and passenger travel to the lakeside city.

A Critical Link Restored

The shutdown of this corridor had severed the seamless flow of goods from the SGR terminus in Naivasha to the Malaba border. With the line active, Kenya Railways expects to recapture a significant market share from trucking companies.

For the traders of Western Kenya, the return of the train whistle in Kijabe signals not just nostalgia, but the return of affordable, reliable commerce. The challenge now remains maintaining this momentum against the unpredictable anger of Mother Nature.