Kenya Railways has announced that the restoration of the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot Meter Gauge Railway is over 70 percent complete, with full reopening expected by December 2025.
The project aims to revive passenger and freight services disrupted by 2024 floods and reinforce Kenya’s rail network as a vital, sustainable transport link connecting Central, Western, and regional trade corridors.
In a statement released on Monday, the corporation reported that the critical line is on track to reopen by December 2025, marking a major step in Kenya’s rail revitalization agenda.
The Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot corridor was severely damaged when “unprecedented rains and severe washaways” destroyed multiple sections, disrupting both passenger and freight operations.
The project now underway includes major engineering works designed to make the line more resilient to future weather extremes.
“The rehabilitation works include building multiple cell culverts, stabilizing embankments, reconstructing drainage systems, and enhancing the line’s resilience to withstand future weather extremes,” Kenya Railways noted.
The MGR restoration effort represents part of Kenya Railways’ strategic commitment to sustain and modernize the Meter Gauge Railway network, ensuring it continues to serve as a “dependable and complementary mode of transport within the national and regional rail ecosystem.”
Officials said the MGR remains vital for both passenger mobility and freight logistics, connecting key towns, markets, and industries across Kenya.
Once reopened, it will re-establish a crucial link between Central and Western Kenya, enhancing trade, tourism, and regional connectivity.
“Upon completion, the line will restore a key connection between the Central and Western regions, paving the way for the resumption of the Kisumu Safari Train, which will enhance travel, trade, and tourism across the Lake Region,” the statement read.
The Kisumu Safari Train, a popular passenger service before the line’s damage, is expected to resume operations alongside freight services that are central to regional trade.
“Freight operations will also resume, facilitating the efficient movement of cargo destined for the Western region as well as transit cargo to Uganda, South Sudan, and beyond, further reinforcing Kenya’s role as the gateway to East and Central Africa,” the corporation stated.
According to Kenya Railways, the project aligns with Kenya’s broader economic and environmental vision under the government’s sustainable transport agenda.
By improving rail infrastructure, the initiative is expected to reduce road congestion, lower logistics costs, and cut carbon emissions associated with over-reliance on road haulage.
“This restoration project is not only vital for rail operations but also aligns with Kenya’s broader economic and environmental objectives, reducing road congestion, lowering logistics costs, and promoting sustainable transport,” the statement emphasized.
