The Kenya Railways has announced two additional trips to and from Kisumu and Nairobi as Christmas holiday travel continues to hit a fever pitch.
In an official notice dated Thursday, December 19, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga informed its customers that the two trips will be available until January 15, 2025, to facilitate smooth traveling even during the school opening.
“We are pleased to announce that following the resumption of the Kisumu Safari Train, we have introduced additional trips to and from Kisumu up to January 15, 2025,” the notice by the Managing Director read.
“The train to Kisumu will be departing the Nairobi Central Station on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 4 p.m. The train to Nairobi will be departing the Kisumu Railway Station on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays at 6:40 pm,” the notice continued.
People boarding a commuter train at Murang’a Railway Station on December 31, 2020
Photo
Kenya Railways
Initially, the train often made one trip from Nairobi every Friday at 6:30 pm and arrived in Kisumu at 6:30 am.
The return trip is usually set for every Sunday with the train departing the New Kisumu Railway station at 6:30 pm to arrive in Nairobi at 6:35 am.
The train makes 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.
The price of a First class ticket to Kisumu costs Ksh2,400 and an Economy class ticket costs Ksh. 900. The train was launched three years ago to bring convenience to passengers from that side.
Additionally, Kenya Railways announced additional trips aboard the Nanyuki Safari Train. The train will run daily to Nanyuki from December 20 to December 24 departing the Nairobi Central Railway Station at 9 am.
It will also run daily to Nairobi from December 21 to December 25, departing the Nanyuki Station at 9 am.
Afterward, it will run from Nairobi to Nanyuki on December 27, January 3,7, and 10, and from Nanyuki to Nairobi on December 29, January 5, and 8.
This change adds to the numerous changes Kenya Railways has made recently.
On December 14, it announced a three-minute day and night stopover on the 10 pm Madaraka Express passenger train at Voi Station, both to and from the Nairobi terminus, effective December 15.
This followed President Ruto’s directive after he received numerous complaints from the Voi residents.
“You have asked me that the train passing here, especially at night, does not stop… Do you want it to stop here so you can travel? I have engaged the relevant ministry, and they have assured me it will start making a stop,” said Ruto.
In January 2023, the agency introduced a five-minute stopover at night, which was later suspended.
A train at the Maai Mahiu station on January 2, 2023.
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Kenya Railways