Kenya Railways recorded an operational milestone on 19 January 2026 following the successful test ride of the Uplands–Longonot–Kijabe Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line, indicating readiness to restore services along the corridor.
The test ride was led by the Managing Director of Kenya Railways, Philip Mainga, accompanied by senior management and members of the media. The exercise underscored the strategic importance of the line and reflected institutional confidence in the rehabilitation works completed along the corridor.
The test confirmed the safety, integrity and operational condition of the infrastructure following extensive rehabilitation works undertaken after severe washaways caused by heavy rainfall in 2024. Rehabilitation activities included embankment stabilisation, bridge strengthening, drainage reconstruction and track realignment, aimed at improving the corridor’s resilience to extreme weather conditions.
Kenya Railways indicated that the successful test demonstrated the organisation’s technical capacity and its ability to address infrastructure challenges while maintaining service continuity on a corridor that supports trade, mobility and regional connectivity.
The Uplands–Longonot–Kijabe MGR line forms an important link within the metre gauge network, facilitating passenger movement between Nairobi and Kisumu and freight transport from the Port of Mombasa to Kenya’s hinterland and regional markets in East and Central Africa. Its restoration aligns with Kenya Railways’ wider objective of maintaining an integrated, resilient and efficient rail system.
The completion of the test ride followed sustained efforts by Kenya Railways engineers, technical teams and support staff, who operated under challenging terrain and weather conditions during the rehabilitation period.
As Kenya Railways prepares for the phased resumption of services along the corridor, the test ride marks the completion of a key technical phase in restoring reliable and safe rail operations.
