Mixed feelings mark first Nairobi-Kisumu passenger train trip after 15 years

Mixed reactions marked the maiden trip of the Nairobi-Kisumu passenger train after a 12-hour journey to the lakeside city.

The train, which was fully booked from Nairobi, reached Kisumu at 5.55pm Friday after dropping some commuters at 18 stopovers on the 216-kilometer meter gauge railway.

While most passengers expressed gratitude for the move by the government to reintroduce the passenger train service after over 15-year hiatus, some called on the Kenya Railways Corporation management to consider reducing the cost of food and drinks.

Hike fares

“The Sh600 for economy class is very fair and saves us the cost we would have incurred by using public service vehicles which hike fares during festive seasons.

“However, we are appealing to the government to lower food prices on board for the sake of all travellers,” said Mr Moses Odhiambo.

The schedule by Kenya Railways also indicates that commuters traveling from Nairobi to Kisumu are supposed to pay Sh2,000 on the First Class while Nairobi- Nakuru is Sh300 and Sh400 from Nakuru to Kisumu on an economy class.

Mr Odhiambo pointed out that the weekly train service might not cater for the high number of commuters who intend to travel during the Christmas and New Year period. He urged the Kenya Railways Corporation to introduce more coaches to meet the rising demand.

Inaugural trip

Mr Titus Nguluni who chose to make his inaugural trip to Kisumu together with his family termed the journey as fulfilling, comfortable and scenic.

“We wanted to sample attractions in the region like Lake Victoria, Kit Mikai and the Impala Park which we have only read in books and seen on television,” he said.

Mr James Alara raised concern over the long duration the train takes to reach Kisumu.

“I am not sure whether I will be able to get a vehicle to connect to Bondo (in Siaya County) at this time. This might force me to spend some extra coin by seeking accommodation and meals for the night,” he said.

The arrival of the wagon attracted hundreds of curious members of the public who were keen to witness the new carriage snaking its way to Kisumu.

Due to tight security measures, the members of the public were not allowed to enter the new railway terminus. They had to wait for their kin at the entrance of the station on the Kisumu Busia Road.

Kenya Railways has opened its booking window and tickets for the Nairobi-bound train scheduled for December 19.

The return of the passenger train services will not only revive the once commonly used means of transport, but also ease movement of cargo from Mombasa to Kisumu and East Africa countries through Lake Victoria.

The railway had been abandoned for over two decades, but today it boasts of 18 stations, 46 bridges, and 27 viaducts.

“Together with the revival of the Port of Kisumu, revamping this railway line is meant to enhance connectivity with our neighbouring countries that depend on Kenya for the transportation of their imports and exports” said Mr Kenyatta.

While the revamp of the line which cost Sh3.7 billion came with devastation to many through destruction of property and businesses as well as evictions from KR property, there is however a ray of hope for locals staying along the railway line, especially around the stations following opportunities that are likely to come with the new project.

18 stations

The collapse of the railway decades ago, signalled the death of many town centres which thrived in the earlier days, buzzing with businesses.

These included Fort Ternan, Miwani, Muhoroni, Chemelil, Kibos, Kisumu Town, Lela, Yala and Malaba.

Some of these 18 stations were old and dilapidated, while others had no modern equipment.

But now, traders are already bringing in containers and setting up shops to cash in on the traffic which will be brought about by the train services.

They have now been repainted and electricity, water and ablution blocks for staff and commuters readied in anticipation of the commencement of operations, which will make passengers’ terminals as well as offices for booking and administrative work, busier.

The renovation of the old railway stations and ongoing booking by businessmen and traders of shops and spaces strategically located, points to how smaller towns are gearing up for the newly revamped railway line in anticipation to boost trade in the stations on the line.

In August, Kenya Railways called on small business owners to lease spaces available at the Station in Kisumu in readiness for its official opening in December.

Commercial hub

It established a commercial hub within the new Kisumu Passenger station, christened ‘Uhuru Business Complex.’

The business hub has 50, 000 square feet of commercial space and is expected to provide passengers with an enhanced experience as well create business opportunities for over 2,000 people.

Kenya Railways provides opportunities for businesses such as eateries, groceries, office space, commercial retail spaces, supermarkets space, storage facilities, abolition cleaning and management services, warehousing among others.

This comes as a relief to thousands of traders who are yet to be relocated after they were evicted from the lakeshores when KRC was reclaiming its property to pave way for the revitalisation of the Kisumu Port.

The move to sell spaces came at a time when KRC engineers and workers have completed almost 90 per cent of the rehabilitation works on two main lines set to link the Coast to the Western Region.

The new Railways station terminus also has provision for parking and will integrate with road and other modes of transport.

Big businesses

The return of the passenger services from Nairobi to Kisumu through Butere is also expected to be operationalised. Work on the 69 kilometre Kisumu-Butere MGR line is also on.

Coalition Chairman, Mr Israel Agina says it is time for traders to tap into the opportunities laid bare before them.

He says everyone is likely to benefit, whether running small or big businesses.

“We are talking to our members to start focusing on these strategic businesses along the railway, especially the shops and spaces which were advertised by KRC. This should be their priority so that they do not feel left out,” said Mr Agina, who is also the chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kisumu chapter.

Mr Agina also pointed out that the railway will also open up inter-county trade and therefore, there should be investment towards construction of large storage facilities next to the stations as well as cooling structures to keep goods fresh before loading and after to keep them fresh.

“The cargo transport will help move goods from Nyanza, to Luanda and Butere in Western as well as milk from Rift Valley counties where the train traverses before it reaches Kisumu. This is why we are getting ready to have structures within or outside the stations to facilitate the storage of such goods,” said Mr Agina.

While road transport will feel the pinch a bit, having passengers and goods being moved through the railway, they too have not been left behind.

Mr James Ochieng Omwa, the Secretary General of Matatu Owners Association, Kisumu Branch said there are already plans on how the new routes will connect to the new Railway Terminus being constructed around Kisumu Cotton Mills.

 “We are whipping the players in the transport industry to increase their fleet and focus on the new stages that will emerge from the presence of the railway terminus, because definitely those heading to the station will need a mode of transportation, which will be either a vehicle or a motorcycle,” said Mr Omwa.

The railway is also expected to significantly boost trade and tourism not only within Kenya, but in the wider East Africa region.

Once done, cargo haulage is expected to go up. This will create a demand for cargo handling facilities with experts believing the Nakuru Kisumu line is a shorter way to Uganda and beyond, compared to the Malaba line. 

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