NAIROBI, Kenya- Passengers travelling between Nairobi and Nyahururu will temporarily lose the direct Safari Train service from Thursday, November 12, after Kenya Railways announced that the train will operate only between Gilgil and Nyahururu.
The change is part of a revised schedule prompted by planned engineering and maintenance works on the Nairobi–Kibera–Talanta section of the Metre Gauge Railway line.
Kenya Railways said the Nyahururu Safari Train will be rerouted to operate on the Gilgil–Nyahururu stretch only, meaning the Nairobi–Gilgil leg of the journey will not be served by the train during the works.
The corporation did not state when the full Nairobi-to-Nyahururu service will resume or announce a replacement rail connection for passengers travelling from the capital to Gilgil.
What was the previous Nyahururu Safari Train route?
Before the temporary adjustment, the Nyahururu Safari Train ran on the full Nairobi Central–Gilgil–Ol Kalou–Nyahururu corridor.
The train departed Nairobi Central Station every Tuesday and Friday at 10am, arriving in Gilgil at about 2pm before proceeding through Ol Kalou and reaching Nyahururu at about 5.50pm.
Return trips left Nyahururu every Wednesday and Sunday at 10am, passing through Ol Kalou and Gilgil before arriving in Nairobi at about 5.50pm.
The full Nairobi-to-Nyahururu economy fare was Sh600, while first-class travel cost Sh1,300.
Economy passengers travelling from Nairobi to Gilgil paid Sh450, while the Nairobi-to-Ol Kalou fare was KSh550.
Under the new arrangement, the service will retain the historic Gilgil–Nyahururu section, but Kenya Railways has not yet published a revised timetable or fare structure for passengers using the shortened route.
A recently revived rail link
The disruption comes only months after Kenya Railways revived passenger services on the Nairobi–Gilgil–Ol Kalou–Nyahururu route in June, ending a 46-year break in operations on the Gilgil–Ol Kalou–Nyahururu branch line.
The service, also known as the Nyahururu Safari Train or Thomson’s Falls Rail, was restored to offer a cheaper travel option for passengers while supporting freight movement, tourism and access to markets in Nyandarua, Laikipia and neighbouring counties.
The reopening also enabled the movement of fertiliser and other agricultural goods to Ol Kalou and Nyahururu, with Kenya Railways identifying the corridor as important to farmers and businesses in the wider Aberdare region.
For now, however, the temporary works mean that passengers from Nairobi will have to make separate arrangements to reach Gilgil before boarding the train to Nyahururu.
Limuru commuter service also affected
The works will also alter Nairobi Central–Limuru commuter-train operations.
Kenya Railways said the Limuru commuter service will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with services suspended on Mondays and Fridays.
The corporation said the temporary arrangement is intended to give engineers uninterrupted access to the Nairobi–Kibera–Talanta corridor while minimising disruption to train operations.
Passengers have been advised to confirm schedules with Kenya Railways before travelling, particularly those planning trips along the Nairobi, Gilgil, Ol Kalou and Nyahururu rail corridor.
