Many years ago, for the longest time, traveling on the Metre Gauge Railway line was a classic experience for many. Among the most memorable rides was the journey between Nairobi and Kisumu. The train serving the route had been christened Port Florence Express and used to run daily between the two destinations.

Many a traveler loved the Port Florence Express. It was always on time, the rides were enjoyable, the crew amiable and it never failed. This was the trend for many years until May 4, 2012 when the last passenger train  between Nairobi and Kisumu ran on the Metre Gauge Railway line. The railway tracks were suddenly desolate , , and the residents of the areas traversed by the line suddenly got used to the eerie silence. Shopping centers died off, populations moved away, tracks became overgrown with bushes and the train became a distant memory with  sections of the line being  taken over by encroachers.

But for the first time in more than 15  years, trains have been seen shuttling between Nakuru and Kisumu counties. The locals of the areas traversed by the Metre Gauge Railway line are an excited lot. Every time the train runs through their locations, the older people tending to their farms pause whatever they are doing to stare and wave. “It is coming back”, they can be heard saying to each other. The children run after the train shouting and waving trying to outrace it-it is an entirely new and thrilling phenomenon to them

The trains are being used to facilitate the revitalization process of the line from between Longonot to Kisumu and Malaba. The revitalization works are at an advanced stage and operations are set to commence later this year on the 217 kilometers long railway line. It boasts of 18 stations including Mau Summit, Njoro, Fort Ternan and Lela; , 46 bridges and 27 viaducts.

Upon completion, the revitalized railway will play a transformational role. It will provide an efficient, cost effective transport solution for passengers and general freight clients by facilitating access to markets, reducing the costs of production among others, enhance trade for the business community, create direct and indirect jobs, boost growth of industries, help reduce carbon emissions among many other benefits.

Through these benefits, the line will help upscale the rail sectors contribution to Kenya’s economic growth spurring the Big 4 Agenda as we aspire to realize Vision 2030