Travellers to Kisumu via railway are happy after Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen ordered an increase in the number of trains to Kisumu.

Murkomen made the announcement on Thursday when he toured the Naivasha Inland Container Deport (ICD) in Naivasha.


The CS said the increase in the number of trains to Kisumu during this festive season is meant to meet the growing demand and ease pressure on road transport

“Meanwhile, I have instructed Kenya Railways to increase the number of trains to Kisumu from 21st December 2022 to 3rd January 2023 to meet the increasing demand occasioned by the festive season and ease pressure on our roads,” Murkomen said.

Read More

  1. SGR leaks Sh144 million as passenger numbers, cargo volumes drop
  2. Safaricom spreads festive joy with dealer, M-Pesa agent recognition in Eldoret
  3. Absa Bank Kenya connects over 200 SMEs with industry leaders in Kisumu

Murkomen disclosed the government wishes to complete the connection of the SGR from Suswa to Kisumu.

“Currently, the SGR is smoothly connected to the MGR in Naivasha thus making it easier to carry goods to Malaba,” Murkomen said.

“In the long run, we would like to complete the connection of the SGR from Suswa to Kisumu through Bomet, Nyamira, parts of Kisii and later to Malaba. Later, we can think of upgrading the existing MGR via Nakuru to Kisumu and via Eldoret to Malaba.”

The CS also said the government was planning to restore the passenger trains along the old Meter Gauge Railway lines and increase the number of wagons and coaches.

“We are also keen to utilise rail transport which is fast, safe, and cheaper to enhance transportation of goods and people. We will also be working to restore passenger trains along the old MGR routes,” the CS said.

“Further, we will be increasing the number of wagons and coaches, which, together with the old wagons and coaches that are currently being revamped at our Nairobi workshops, will increase capacity for passenger transportation.”

Kisumu Train. PHOTO/KENYA RAILWAYS

The CS also said the Kenyan government is inviting investors to develop and run a new railway corridor from Lamu to Moyale, through Garissa, and to South Sudan through Turkana and these plans would make the country competitive.