UPDATE: The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has announced that the Kisumu Safari Train has reverted to the normal weekly schedule.
In a notice on Friday, January 17, 2025, the Corporation said that the train will depart from Nairobi Central Station for Kisumu every Friday at 5:30 PM and make its return trip from Kisumu to Nairobi every Sunday at 6:00 PM.
Earlier, KRC had announced the suspension of train services along the Nairobi – Nanyuki route.
In a notice on Thursday, January 16, the Corporation announced the cancellation of services on one of its most popular passenger routes.
KRC explained that the suspension scheduled for Friday was caused by a blockage on a section of the line.
“We wish to inform members of the public that the Nanyuki Safari train will not run on Friday, January 17, 2025. This is due to a blockage on a section of the line, which is hindering the movement of trains between Nairobi and Nanyuki,” the notice reads in part.
Kenya Railways issues update on Nanyuki train services
However, the Corporation assured the public that rehabilitation works are progressing well, adding that its technical teams are working to clear the blockage and restore the line to working order.
Kenya Railways further apologized for any inconvenience caused.
“As always, the safety of our passengers is of paramount importance to us. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and look forward to having you onboard upon resumption of normal service,” the notice adds.
Also Read: Kenya Railways Announces New Return Trips and Departure Times from Kisumu
The Nanyuki Safari train makes one round trip on the service every week. The train goes from Nairobi to Nanyuki every Friday and makes the return trip every Sunday.
According to KRC, this is a 7-hour journey. The train departs both ends at 09:00 hrs and arrives at both destinations at 16:00 hrs.
During the journey, the train makes stops at Makadara, Dandora, Mwiki, Githurai, Kahawa West, Ruiru, Mitubiri, and Thika.
It also makes stops at Kalimoni, Makuyu, Maragua, Murang’a, Sagana Karatina, Kiganjo, Chaka, and Naro Moru stations which lie between Nairobi and Nanyuki.
The train has the First and Economy classes. First class costs Ksh1000 while Economy class costs Ksh400.
There are also charges for passengers boarding and alighting mid journey without reaching either destination.
In March, data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealed that 97,000 commuters used the Nairobi-Nanyuki Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) train in 2023 while 68,784 commuters used the Nairobi-Kisumu train.
This adds up to at least 165,784 passengers who travelled using MGR trains plying the two routes in 2023, more than double compared to 2022.
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Resumption of Kisumu train services
The suspension of the Nanyuki train came a month after Kenya Railways announced the resumption of services on the Kisumu train.
In a statement on December 3, the Corporation confirmed the resumption of services on the Nairobi-Kisumu route, which is one of its most sought-after routes by passengers especially during the festive season.
Earlier in November, Kenya Railways had confirmed the suspension of the services in response to inquiries about seat availability on the route.
According to the Corporation, the suspension was due to ongoing line rehabilitation.
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