Kenya Railways Announces Changed Schedule For Kisumu-Nairobi Train

The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has announced a new timetable for the return trip on the Nairobi-Kisumu Safari train, with Kenyans set to return to the capital city from the festivities.

In a notice on Tuesday, December 31, Kenya Railways disclosed that the train will depart Kisumu at 6:00 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This is a change from its original schedule where the train was to depart the lakeside city for Nairobi on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays at 6:40 pm

"Take note of the schedule below for return trips from Kisumu. The train departs Kisumu at 6 pm on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. This remains valid up to 15th January 2025," Kenya Railways stated.

The amended schedule also considers students travelling back to schools when they reopen in January 2025. This comes after the company announced additional trips for the Nairobi-Kisumu route owing to increased demand during the festivities.

In an official notice dated Thursday, December 19, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga told customers that the extra trips would be available until January 15, 2025. Two more trips were added for those leaving Nairobi to the lakeside city.

The train is a 12-hour ride and makes stopovers in Line Saba, Kibera, Satellite, Lenana, Dagoreti, Kikuyu, Muguga, Limuru, Uplands, Matathia, Kijabe, Longonot,  Naivasha, Nakuru, Njoro, Molo, Elburgon, Fort Ternan, Londiani, Muhoroni, Miwani, Chemelil, Kibigori and Kibos stations to drop and pick passengers. 

Economy class tickets will cost Ksh900 while first-class tickets will cost Ksh2,400. There are also some policies for passengers to follow. For instance, passengers with cargo exceeding a width of 1.6 meters and a length of 2 meters will not be allowed to board the train.

Also, passengers must arrive at least one hour before departure for verification. The train was launched three years ago to bring convenience to passengers from that side.

This comes after train services on the route stood under suspension due to line rehabilitation, but the company disclosed that they would resume eventually. Kenya Railways suspended its Nairobi-Kisumu train services earlier in the year due to damaged railway lines that were affected by heavy rains and previous flooding, thus the temporary halt was to ensure passenger safety as repairs were made.

The Kisumu Safari train offers a scenic journey with modern amenities and affordable fares, making it an attractive option for travellers between Nairobi and Kisumu.