By Jehoshaphat Kanyoro Njaro
The Kenya Railways Corporation has announced the resumption of services for the Nairobi Ruiru commuter train following a two-week suspension due to heavy rainfall.
The service, which had been halted since May 2, will recommence operations starting Monday, May 28, adhering to its usual schedule.
According to the announcement, the Ruiru train will leave Ruiru station at 6 am and arrive at Nairobi Central Station at 7:30 am, restoring a critical transportation link for daily commuters.
The suspension, which left thousands of city dwellers stranded, was necessitated by flooding in various parts of Nairobi, which submerged large sections of the railway track.
In an earlier public notice, Kenya Railways highlighted the severity of the flooding, stating that it had been forced to halt operations from the Nairobi Central Railway Station due to the unsafe conditions.
While services on the Embakasi Village to Lukenya route and the SGR Link train to Syokimau resumed a week later on May 7, the Limuru and Ruiru routes remained inactive due to ongoing repair works.
The operator emphasized that these measures were critical for ensuring passenger safety amid the adverse weather conditions.
Kenya Railways has also informed the public that the commuter train schedule could still be subject to changes at short notice, depending on weather conditions and safety considerations.
Despite the resumption of the Ruiru route, commuters from Kahawa West who rely on the 9 am train will continue to experience disruptions, as this service remains suspended until further notice.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to do everything possible to restore normalcy to the entire commuter service,” read part of the statement from Kenya Railways.
The corporation reassured the public of its commitment to passenger safety and pledged ongoing efforts to repair and and maintain the affected railway lines to prevent future disruptions.