Relief for Traders as Kenya Railways Clears Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot Section for Reopening

19th January 2026,

Kijabe,Kiambu County

By Jared Odhiambo

Kenya Railways Corporation has moved a step closer to restoring rail services along the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot corridor after completing a successful test run on the repaired section of the Metre Gauge Railway line.
The corridor has been inactive for months following extensive damage caused by above-normal rainfall in April and May 2024, which washed away parts of the track around Kijabe and brought rail operations to a halt. The shutdown disrupted cargo movement along the northern transport corridor, forcing freight onto already strained road networks.
The test run, conducted between Uplands Railway Station and the Kijabe–Longonot stretch, confirmed the integrity of the rehabilitated track and marked a key milestone toward the resumption of freight services.

Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga said the development restores confidence in the corporation’s recovery efforts and signals renewed momentum for rail transport serving Kenya and the wider region.
He noted that traders in western Kenya and neighbouring countries including Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are set to benefit from the reopening, following months of delays and rising transport costs caused by the disruption.

According to Mainga, the return of rail services will ease congestion on major highways, lower the cost of moving bulk cargo and strengthen supply chains linking the Port of Mombasa to inland markets.
Kenya Railways said all major repair works on the affected section have been completed, while supplementary protection and river training works will continue alongside train operations to safeguard the line against future weather-related damage.

The reopening of the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot rail section is expected to revitalise freight movement, support regional trade and reinforce the role of rail transport as a dependable backbone of Kenya’s logistics and economic infrastructure.

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