Kenya Railways Successfully Completes Uplands–Longonot Test Run, Paving Way for Full MGR Resumption
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 20 – In a significant stride toward revitalizing the nation’s heritage rail network, Kenya Railways has successfully concluded a trial transit between Uplands and the Kijabe–Longonot corridor.
This milestone marks the final phase of preparations for the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR), paving the way for a full resumption of commuter and freight services that will reconnect key economic hubs across the Rift Valley.
The corridor, which links Kenya’s interior to Mombasa and neighbouring countries, had been out of service since April and May 2024, when above-normal rainfall washed away sections of the line near Kijabe, rendering it impassable.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga while speaking during the test ride described the development as a significant boost for the railway operator.
“We are delighted to achieve this important milestone today this clears the way for us to resume normal operations and continue offering safe, reliable, and efficient services to our clients,” said Mr. Mainga.
The corporation assured that the reopening of the route will be fundamental in easing transport between Mombasa and the Nyanza Region, as well as other countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.
“Rehabilitation works on the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot railway corridor are now 100 per cent complete, with successful test rides conducted to confirm the safety and operational readiness of the line, The only remaining activity is slope protection works, which are being finalised to enhance long-term stability and safety”.
Additionally, Railways confirmed that full restoration of the track is complete, with additional protection works and river training ongoing to safeguard the corridor from future flooding.
The announcement comes a month after the corporation announced the resumption of the Kisumu Safari Train, after being out of operation for nearly a year.
“The only remaining activity is slope protection works, which are being finalised to enhance long-term stability and safety, With these milestones achieved, preparations are underway to resume freight transportation”.
The Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) has long served as a vital link for transporting cargo from the Port of Mombasa to the Kenyan hinterland and beyond, Its return to service is set to provide a much-needed stabilizer for regional supply chains, which have faced nearly two years of congestion and high costs since the line was severed, ensuring a more fluid exchange of goods across the East African Community.
Further the regional business community and major logistics firms have hailed the restoration as a “game-changer” for East African trade By offering a reliable alternative to the more expensive road transport, the revived MGR line is expected to slash overhead costs for importers and exporters alike.
Industry leaders noted that the rail link will not only stabilize pricing but also provide the predictability in delivery schedules that has been missing since the 2024 washouts.
The test run marks a tangible milestone in Kenya Railways’ ongoing rehabilitation efforts, offering a boost to the transport sector and signalling renewed reliability for the critical metre gauge network.
