UPDATE: The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has 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.
However, KRC assured that the rehabilitation works are at an advanced stage and that services are expected to resume in time for the festive season.
“The Kisumu Safari Train service is currently suspended due to ongoing line rehabilitation. Plans to restore the service are at an advanced stage, and it is expected to be available by the festive season,” said Kenya Railways.
The Kisumu Safari train makes the overnight trip from Nairobi every Friday with stopovers in Line Saba, Kibera, Satellite, Lenana, Dagoreti, Kikuyu, Muguga, Limuru, Uplands, Matathia, Kijabe, Longonot, Naivasha, Nakuru, Njoro, Molo, Elburgon, Fort Ternan, Londiani, Muhoroni, Miwani, Chemelil, Kibigori and Kibos stations to drop and pick passengers.
It departs at 6:30pm and arrives in Kisumu at 06: 30 am. On the other hand, the return trip is set for every Sunday with the train departing the New Kisumu Railway station at 6:30 a.m. to arrive in Nairobi at 06:35 a.m. the next day.
Kisumu train
A First-class ticket to Kisumu costs Ksh2,400 while an Economy class ticket costs Ksh900.
The announcement by Kenya Railways came at a time when the festive season is slowly setting in.
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In December 2023, data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealed that 25,205 Kenyans used the Nairobi-Kisumu route.
The route was ranked among the most sought-after, as KNBS indicated that more Kenyans were choosing rail transport over Public Service Vehicles – PSVs on both the Kisumu and Nairobi-Nanyuki routes.
Furthermore, in 2023, at least 165,784 passengers traveled using Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) trains on the two routes—more than double the number from 2022.
The Nairobi- Kisumu train passengers in December were 130 percent more than the 10,961 passengers who used the train in December 2022, while those plying the Nanyuki route shot up by 248 percent from 7,547 passengers.
Also Read: Kenya Railways Sets the Record Straight on Reports of Stalled Uhuru-Era Trains
Also, Kenya Railways in December 2023 had to increase the frequency of the Kisumu and Nanyuki Safari trains as it witnessed a surge in demand, announcing it would operate twice weekly as compared to the previous schedule of once-a-week travels.
Preference of the routes by passengers during the festive seasons is attributed to the low fares of Ksh900 for an economy class ticket on the Kisumu train and Ksh400 for the train to Nanyuki, compared to matatu fares which can double during festivities and back-to-school seasons.
Kenya Railways Announces SGR delays
The suspension of Kisumu trains also came days after Kenya Railways announced delays for the Mombasa to Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
The authority in a statement on Thursday, October 31, indicated that the delay would occur for over one hour, meaning that the Nairobi-bound train was scheduled to leave the station at 4:40 pm.
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