Kenya Railways Suspends Commuter Train Services

The Kenya Railways Corportation has suspended its commuter train services due to the ongoing heavy rains.

In a statement on Wednesday, April 24, Kenya Railways said the rains pounding different parts of the city had affected its railway lines. As such, the corporation decided to suspend the services temporarily as a precautionary measure.

“We wish to notify members of the public that commuter train services have been temporarily suspended due to the ongoing heavy rains that have affected the rail lines,” read the statement in part.

“We are compelled to take these precautionary measures because the safety of our customers is always of paramount importance to us. We will advise you once normal services resume. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

The Wednesday, April 24, alert came days after the Corporation announced the suspension of its Nanyuki Safari train after heavy rains affected parts of its line along the route.

Heavy rains experienced in different parts of the country have continued to disrupt transport activities along crucial ways including major highways and even airports.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) issued an advisory to motorists notifying them about disruptions along the Kitengela-Namanga Road.

According to the advisory, the Athi River flooded early on Wednesday morning to render the bridge linking Kitengela to Mombasa Road along Namanga Road is impassible.

Also Read: Heavy Traffic as Trees Fall in Nairobi CBD, Floods Deaths Shoot to 38

As such, the highways authority urged motorists to refrain from attempting to cross the bridge until the water levels recede to safe levels.

The Authority also advised motorists to take an alternate route by diverting through the East African Portland Cement junction via Athi River to Devki.

Motorists using the Thika Superhighway also woke to disruptions as the rains that pounded Nairobi on Tuesday night left sections of the usually busy Highway flooded.

Also Read: Kenya Railways Announces Suspension of Train Services

The Kahawa Sukari underpass, for example, was rendered impassible with videos recorded from the location showing water at high level surpassing the safety rails of the main road.

Other roads affected by the rains included the Moi Avenue in Nairobi CBD where two old trees fell overnight and blocked the road adjacent to the famous Imenti House.

The disruptions paint a picture of the adverse effects the rains have caused in different parts of the country, with statistics from the Kenya Redcross showing that at least 30 people have died due to floods.

The Kenya Meteorological Department had issued a forecast last week showing that most places in the country were expected to continue receiving heavy rains.