Kenya Railways has announced significant progress in the restoration of the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) line, which was severely damaged during the April 2024 flash floods in the Mai Mahiu area of Nakuru County.
The flash floods, which swept through the region earlier this year, caused heavy damage and washaways along the railway corridor, disrupting both freight and passenger services on the route.
70% of Restoration Works Completed
According to a statement by Kenya Railways Corporation, rehabilitation works are now over 70 per cent complete, with full restoration expected by December 2025.
Once completed, the restoration will pave the way for the return of the Kisumu Safari Train, reconnecting Kenya’s central and western regions and boosting both passenger and freight operations.
Restoring a Key Transport Link in East Africa
The ongoing project aims to re-establish vital rail connectivity between Central Kenya and the Western region, enhancing trade and travel efficiency. Freight operations will also resume along the corridor, improving cargo movement to Uganda, South Sudan, and other neighboring countries — a move expected to strengthen Kenya’s position as a gateway to East and Central Africa.
Engineering Works to Improve Resilience
The restoration works include:
- Construction of multiple-cell culverts
- Stabilization of embankments
- Reconstruction of drainage systems
- Structural enhancements to increase resilience against future extreme weather events
In a statement, Kenya Railways emphasized that,
“This restoration underscores the Corporation’s strategic commitment to revitalize and sustain Kenya’s Meter Gauge Railway network as a dependable and complementary mode of transport within the national and regional rail ecosystem.”
Remembering the April 2024 Mai Mahiu Tragedy
The April 2024 floods claimed the lives of at least 51 people in Mai Mahiu and left many others displaced. Investigations revealed that the catastrophe was triggered by the bursting of a water body formed after a culvert blockage beneath the railway line.
The ongoing works are expected to prevent such tragedies in the future by improving drainage and structural safety along the railway corridor.
