Kenya Railways Corporation envisages transportation of over 5,000 tonnes of cargo and 1,000 passengers each transit following the revamped Gilgil-Ol Kalou-Nyahururu railway line that has been in disuse for over 46 years.

The corporation, through its senior officials, says the revival of the railway is expected to improve access to markets for farm produce and provide affordable transportation that is expected to stimulate trade and investment along the corridor.

The main railway route will also ease cargo movement between production areas and the Naivasha Inland Container Depot, besides strengthen Kenya’s integrated transport and logistics network.

According to the corporation, 1,000 tonnes of government-subsidised fertiliser have already been delivered to National Cereals and Produce Board depots in Ol-Kalou and Nyahururu to support farmers in Nyandarua and Laikipia counties growing potatoes, carrots, wheat and other crops.

According to KRC Director Philip Mainga, over 1,000 passengers in each transit, three times a week and ship 5,000 tonnes of cargo is being realised, thanks to new trains and cabins.

Speaking to the press in Gilgil Station after a brief stopover, Mainga noted the government had revamped over 80 railway routes driven by rising demand mostly in Nairobi and its satellite towns.

Mainga said the new route will help revive and ease the transportation of farm input and farm produce such as potatoes, cabbages and avocadoes from the region to the market, offering farmers faster access to markets.

He noted that the corporation has reduced the cost of transportation on new trains as it charges Ksh600 from Nairobi to Nyahururu, Nairobi to Ol-Kalou Ksh550 and Nairobi to Gilgil Ksh450. He said the corporation will tap into green energy and transition to electric trains, especially in Nairobi. It add more electric multiple units to their fleet as demand surges, he said.

The director said the government move to revive the railway routes was driven by rising demand for cargo and passenger movement. The director warned that theft and vandalism of railway infrastructure constitute a criminal offence and punitive fines will be slapped on culprits.

He said major players including OCP Kenya, Bamburi Cement, New KCC and Freight Terminals Limited have expressed interest in using the railway, with potential climate in the construction industry, livestock and agricultural sector angling to move cargo using the line.

Mainga pointed out that the line will see communities along the corridor gain a safe, affordable and environmentally friendly transport option, improving mobility and access to social services.

The director also noted that the revival supports Kenya’s Vision 2030, leveraging railway connection to production centres, markets and communities at both micro and macro-economic levels.

The Gilgil-Nyahururu line was built by the colonial government in the 1920s and was operationalised in 1929 and targeted easy movement of agricultural produce, livestock, timber and passengers.

However, the line infrastructure deteriorated over the years and the declining freight volumes along the route led to the suspension of its operations.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Erastus Gichohi