The Kijabe railway line has been fully restored after suffering extensive damage during the April 2024 heavy rains that wracked havoc on the vital transport system.
According to officials from the Kenya Railways Corporation, the rehabilitation works hit the 100 percent completion mark after successful test runs were concluded for safe operations.
The reconstruction of damaged meter-gauge line, which forms part of the strategic Nairobi–Nakuru transport corridor was badly affected by flooding and landslides that washed away large tracks, weakened embankments and eroded the drainage systems around Kijabe and the escarpment.
The damage forced the corporation to suspend rail services, disrupting the movement of freight and passengers carriage, further exerting pressure on road transport.
Lari Member of Parliament Mburu Kahangara welcomed the completion of the works, saying the restoration would bring relief to residents and businesses community that depend on the railway.
“The Kijabe railway line restoration is complete, with rehabilitation works reaching 100 percent completion and has undergone successful test rides to confirm safety and operational readiness,” he said, adding that the only remaining task is slope protection works to enhance long-term stability and safety at the escarpment stretch.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga said the completion of the works was critical in restoring reliable rail connectivity through the Rift Valley, as other major road infrastructure projects got underway.
“The rehabilitation works at Kijabe have been completed and a successful test runs confirmed that the line was safe and ready for use,” Mainga said.
He explained that the works included the rebuilding of culverts, strengthening embankments and improving drainage systems to enhance resilience against heavy downpour to reduce the ravages of flashfloods in future.
According to the corporation, engineers worked on an emergency basis to stabilize the terrain, along the sections affected by the deluge that appeared vulnerable to heavy rainfall.
Mainga said specialized machinery was deployed to clear debris, realign the track and reinforce weak formations along the escarpment to meet operational safety standards.
“The reopening of the Kijabe railway line, coincided with the launch of the Mau Summit road project, a critical artery linking Nairobi to Nakuru and Western Kenya” he said.
The development comes, even as construction of phase one of the road project commences, with traffic management measures including marking of partial diversions section along the route already in progress.
However, restoration of the railway line is expected to provide a vital alternative for the movement of bulk cargo, easing pressure on the highway by diverting heavy freight from the road network during the construction period.
Kenya Railways says the restored line will play a key role in supporting the movement of bulk cargo such as fuel, cement, fertilizer and agricultural produce.
Rail transport is viewed as a more cost-effective option for long-distance haulage, helping businesses lower logistics costs, while reducing wear and tear on road infrastructure.
The restoration forms part of wider efforts to enhance the resilience of the rail network against extreme weather.
Mainga said Kenya Railways is assessing other flood-prone sections of the network, with a view to upgrading drainage systems and strengthening slopes. “Our priority is to ensure safety, reliability, and continuity of service, even as weather patterns become more unpredictable,” he said.
Freight services are expected to resume first to clear cargo backlogs that built up during the closure, with passenger services expected to follow in phases.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Railways Corporation will continue to monitor the Kijabe section closely, particularly during the rainy season, as both rail and road infrastructure remain critical to sustainable economic activity along the Nairobi–western Kenya transport corridor.
By Grace Naishoo
