Kenya Railways has announced the resumption of the Kisumu Safari Train after nearly a year-long suspension, aiming to meet increased travel demand during the December holiday season.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the rail operator said the service will resume on Friday, December 19, and operate until January 12, 2026.
The move is intended to ease transport pressure for thousands of Kenyans travelling from Nairobi to the western region for the festive season.
The Safari Train is expected to provide a more affordable and dependable alternative to public buses, which are often overstretched during the holidays.
Christmas travel upcountry is typically marked by long queues, overcrowded buses, and inflated fares driven by high demand.
The train will depart Nairobi Central Station at 5:30 pm and arrive in Kisumu at 6:30 am the following day.
Scheduled stops include Nairobi Terminus, Mai Mahiu, and several stations along the Rift Valley corridor.
First-class tickets will cost Sh2,400, while economy class fares are set at Sh900. The journey takes approximately 13 hours.
For the return journey, the train will leave Kisumu at 6:30 pm and arrive in Nairobi at 8:00 am, offering passengers a convenient overnight travel option.
Kenya Railways said the reinstated service will help ease challenges faced by travellers, including last-minute bookings and soaring fares at major bus terminals such as Machakos Country Bus Station.
With public transport operators known to raise prices during peak holiday periods, the Safari Train offers a safer, more affordable, and scenic alternative.
The announcement follows a similar move by the corporation to introduce an additional passenger train on the Nairobi–Mombasa route to accommodate the festive travel surge.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, December 2, Kenya Railways said the extra service will run from Monday, December 8, to Monday, January 5.
According to the schedule, the additional train will depart Nairobi at 9:40 am, arrive in Voi at 1:35 pm, and continue to Mombasa, where it is expected to arrive at 3:55 pm.
On the return leg, the train will leave Mombasa at 4:30 pm, stop in Voi at 6:15 pm, and arrive in Nairobi at 10:55 pm.
Why can’t I watch TikToks people send me? Common reasons and fixes
