Raila Takes a Ride on Newly Launched Kisumu Safari Train

ODM leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday took a ride on the recently launched Kisumu Safari Train.

Odinga arrived at Fort Ternan railway station in Kericho on Wednesday afternoon where he was received by Kenya Railways officials led by Managing Director Philip Mainga.

He then boarded the Kisumu-bound train alongside his grandson and several other leaders among them Governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), and Governor James Ongwae (Kisii).

“Nothing beats a nostalgic train ride than sharing it with one of my grandkids. The holiday season for me is all about spending time with family. I loved the short train ride into Kisumu this afternoon,” Raila, who is eyeing the presidency next year, said in a tweet.

The Nairobi-Kisumu passenger train service resumed on December 17th after a 15-year break. This followed the rehabilitation of the old meter-gauge railway that was built by the British colonial government a century ago.

Commuters are paying Sh600 fare on second class coaches from Nairobi to Kisumu and Sh2,000 on first-class, while those traveling to Nakuru pay Sh300, and Sh400 from Nakuru to the lakeside city. The train operates between 6.00 am and 6.45 pm with a stopover in Nakuru.