Kenya Railways has announced the resumption of the Kisumu Safari Train service for the 2025 festive season.
In a notice, the corporation said that operations are scheduled to run between December 19, 2025, and January 12, 2026.
The seasonal service is aimed at meeting increased travel demand as Kenyans move across the country during the Christmas and New Year holidays. It provides a convenient travel option for passengers heading to western Kenya during the peak holiday season.
According to Kenya Railways, the train will operate on selected dates within the period and will offer overnight passenger services between Nairobi Central Station and Kisumu.
Kisumu Safari Train schedule during festive season
The Nairobi–Kisumu service will operate on December 19, 21, 24, 26, 29 and 31, 2025, as well as January 2, 5, 7 and 9, 2026. Return trips from Kisumu to Nairobi are scheduled for December 21, 23, 25, 28 and 30, 2025, and January 1, 4, 6, 8 and 11, 2026.
From Nairobi, the train will depart at 5:30 pm and arrive in Kisumu the following morning at 6:30 am. On the return journey, the train will leave Kisumu at 6:30 pm and arrive in Nairobi at 8:00 am the next day. The overnight schedule allows passengers to travel comfortably while maximising daytime hours at their destinations.
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Kenya Railways said tickets for the Kisumu Safari Train will be sold over the counter at Nairobi Central Station. First Class tickets have been priced at Ksh2,400, while Economy Class tickets will cost Ksh900. Passengers have been encouraged to purchase tickets in advance due to the expected surge in demand during the festive period.
For enquiries and further information, passengers can contact Kenya Railways through the numbers 0115 102 558, 0115 169 759, 0793 005 523, 0709 907 000, or 0709 907 555.
The Kisumu Safari Train is a long-distance passenger service connecting Nairobi to western Kenya and is typically reinstated during peak travel periods such as school holidays and festive seasons. Kenya Railways has not indicated whether the service will continue beyond January 12, 2026.
When in operation, the Kisumu Safari Train departs Nairobi every Friday at 6:30pm and arrives in Kisumu the following morning at 6:30am.
Along the route, the train makes multiple stopovers to pick up and drop off passengers at Line Saba, Kibera, Satellite, Lenana, Dagoreti, Kikuyu, Muguga, Limuru, Uplands, Matathia, Kijabe, Longonot, Naivasha, Nakuru, Njoro, Molo, Elburgon, Fort Ternan, Londiani, Muhoroni, Miwani, Chemelil, Kibigori and Kibos stations.
Restoration of Kijabe line
The Kisumu Safari Train resumption announcement comes against the backdrop of ongoing rehabilitation works on the Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) line. In November, Kenya Railways reported significant progress in restoring the line, which had been severely damaged by heavy rains in April 2024.
The rains triggered washaways and flash floods in the Mai Mahiu area of Nakuru County, disrupting rail services along the corridor. Both freight and passenger operations were affected, with the Kisumu Safari Train among the most impacted services.
At the time, the corporation said rehabilitation works were more than 70 per cent complete, with full restoration expected by December.
Kenya Railways said freight operations are also expected to resume, improving cargo movement to western Kenya and neighbouring countries including Uganda and South Sudan, and reinforcing Kenya’s role as a regional gateway to East and Central Africa.
Also Read: Kenya Railways Announces Additional Madaraka Express Trains and Their Schedules
The restoration works involved the construction of multiple-cell culverts, stabilization of embankments, reconstruction of drainage systems, and upgrades aimed at improving resilience against extreme weather conditions.
Additional Madaraka Express trains
Kenya Railways last month also announced additional Madaraka Express services to cater for increased passenger demand during the December festive season.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, December 2, the corporation said the extra trains will operate from December 8, 2025, to January 5, 2026.
The additional Madaraka Express service from Nairobi to Mombasa will depart at 9:40am, arrive in Voi at 1:35pm, depart Voi at 1:40pm, and reach Mombasa at 3:35pm.
The return service from Mombasa will leave at 4:30pm, arrive in Voi at 6:15pm, depart Voi at 6:20pm, and arrive in Nairobi at 10:55pm.
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Mombasa Commuter Rail Service. PHOTO/Kenya Railways
