This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
On Tuesday, Kenya Railways dispatched a set of train wagons to the Nanyuki terminus to aid in the repair of the 240km metre-gauge railway line in Central Kenya.
The wagons, which were transported to the terminus by road, include two low-sided wagons for ferrying murram and tools, two hopper wagons for ballast, one passenger coach for ferrying workers, and a locomotive for pulling the wagons and the coach.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Phillip Mainga accompanied senior staff from Nairobi and held a meeting with Nanyuki-based Railways officials.
Mainga said the wagons were to help hasten the repair works so as to meet the June deadline for completion.
He added that two teams were working on the railway line, one from Nairobi who had repaired the line from Nairobi to Murang'a, and the other team working from Nanyuki towards Nyeri and Sagana.
Mainga said the team had observed poor drainage systems exposed by the heavy rains and were currently clearing drainage and murraming along the railway tracks.
Central Kenya Regional Board CEO Ndirangu Gachunia said the revival of the railway has been the focus for the region since the late Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru championed the refurbishment of the line.
He said the railway line will link the region with the Standard Gauge Railway and actualise the potential of Central Kenya counties, which are key contributors to the economy.
