Kijabe: The Kijabe railway line has been fully restored after suffering extensive damage during the April 2024 heavy rains that disrupted the vital transport system.
According to Kenya News Agency, officials from the Kenya Railways Corporation confirmed that the rehabilitation works reached 100 percent completion following successful test runs to ensure safe operations. The reconstruction of the damaged meter-gauge line, which forms a part of the strategic Nairobi-Nakuru transport corridor, was severely impacted by flooding and landslides. These natural occurrences 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 and further exerting pressure on road transport. Lari Member of Parliament Mburu Kahangara expressed relief at the completion of the works, emphasizing the restoration's significance for residents and businesses dependent on the railway. He noted 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 highlighted the importance of the completed works in restoring reliable rail connectivity through the Rift Valley. He explained that the rehabilitation efforts included rebuilding culverts, strengthening embankments, and improving drainage systems to bolster resilience against heavy downpours and reduce future flash flood damage.
Engineers worked on an emergency basis to stabilize the terrain along the sections affected by the deluge. Specialized machinery was used to clear debris, realign the track, and reinforce weak formations along the escarpment to meet operational safety standards. This restoration coincided with the launch of the Mau Summit road project, an essential artery linking Nairobi to Nakuru and Western Kenya.
As construction of phase one of the road project begins, traffic management measures, including marking partial diversions along the route, are already underway. The railway line's restoration is expected to provide a vital alternative for bulk cargo movement, easing pressure on the highway by diverting heavy freight from the road network during construction.
Kenya Railways indicates that the restored line will be crucial for transporting bulk cargo such as fuel, cement, fertilizer, and agricultural produce. Rail transport is considered a more cost-effective option for long-distance haulage, aiding businesses in lowering logistics costs while reducing wear and tear on road infrastructure. The restoration is part of broader efforts to enhance the rail network's resilience against extreme weather.
Mainga stated that Kenya Railways is assessing other flood-prone sections of the network to upgrade drainage systems and strengthen slopes, prioritizing safety, reliability, and continuity of service amidst unpredictable weather patterns. Freight services are expected to resume first to clear cargo backlogs, with passenger services following in phases.
The Kenya Railways Corporation will continue to closely monitor the Kijabe section, especially during the rainy season, as both rail and road infrastructure remain critical to sustainable economic activity along the Nairobi-western Kenya transport corridor.