Kenya Railways Suspends Train Services On 9 Routes

The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) on Tuesday, July 18 announced the suspension of train services in Nairobi due to the planned anti-government protests by Azimio la Umoja.

In a statement, KRC noted that recent protests that have witnessed attacks on passenger trains in active service along the routes, as well as vandalism, have put the lives of passengers at risk.

"Kenya Railways wish to notify our customers and members of the public that all commuter train services will temporarily be suspended on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

"This is a precautionary measure arising from recent incidents where our stations were vandalised and trains stoned, putting passengers' lives at great risk," the statement read in part.

The suspension affects the following routes:

1. The Nairobi Commuter Rail Service trains serving between Nairobi Central Station and Lukenya, Syokimau, Embakasi Village, Ruiru, Kahawa West and Limuru
2. Commuter Passenger Service between Nairobi SGR Terminus and Ngong station.

"The Corporation is compelled to take these measures as the safety of our customers is, and will always be of paramount importance to us.

"We will advise you once normal services resume and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused," added KRC.

On Thursday, July 13, the corporation suspended train services along the Syokimau and Lukenya routes as a result of consistent attacks on its trains while passing through Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums near Imara Daima in Nairobi.

The railway company further accused a section of rowdy individuals of ambushing the passing trains by stoning them as well as barricading rail tracks in a bid to prevent movement, thus putting passengers in danger.

"We wish to inform our customers and the general public that we have suspended train services along the Syokimau and Lukenya routes.

"This is due to the volatile security situation arising from consistent attacks on our trains passing through Mukuru kwa Njenga, by rowdy individuals who are barricading rail tracks and stoning the train," stated KRC in part.

Kenya Railways went on to highlight two incidents that took place after the Azimio la Umoja nationwide protests on Wednesday, July 12. In one of them, a train bound for Lukenya was attacked at 6.00 pm on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, a train carrying 520 pupils was attacked at 11.00 am, which worried the country's main railway operator.

However, KRC noted that the suspension was merely temporary and that normal services would be restored in due course.

The opposition led by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, vowed to push on with the protests until their demands are met.