Raila Odinga downplays train hitch, says service will create trade opportunities
ODM leader Raila Odinga (right) and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya inside the Kisumu-bound train passenger from Fort Ternan Station on December 22, 2021. Tonny Omondi | Nation Media Group
What you need to know:
- Mr Odinga says the railway line has been opened up after years of being dormant to enable smooth flow of business commodities and people.
- On Tuesday evening, the train which left Nairobi at 6am is reported to have developed a technical hitch at Muhoroni after its second wagon derailed.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday took his maiden ride on the newly launched Nairobi-Kisumu train.
Mr Odinga took the ride alongside governors Anyang Nyong'o (Kisumu), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) James Ongwae (Kisii) and other dignitaries just hours after a mechanical hitch stalled the Kisumu-bound passenger train for several hours at Muhoroni.
Mr Odinga downplayed the Tuesday incident, saying the resumption of the Nairobi-Kisumu railway service will open up business opportunities in the Western region.
The ODM leader, accompanied by the governors, boarded the train at Fort Ternan alongside hundreds of area residents who were issued with free tickets three hours before its departure.
He said the railway line has been opened up after years of being dormant to enable smooth flow of business commodities and people.
“Renovation of the line will further open up the economy and allow free flow of goods from Kisumu, Nairobi to Mombasa. We will also have an opportunity to trade with other business people in Uganda and Tanzania using the train service which will make deliveries to Lake Victoria Port," he said.
While addressing Fort Ternan residents, Mr Odinga also called on the residents to support his Azimio la Umoja movement.
On Tuesday evening, the train which left Nairobi at 6am is reported to have developed a technical hitch at Muhoroni after its second wagon derailed.
ODM leader Raila Odinga (right) and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya inside the Kisumu-bound train passenger from Fort Ternan Station on December 22, 2021.
The incident drew harsh criticism from a section of Kenyans who questioned the viability of the newly launched metre gauge rail line.
This was the third trip the train was making to Kisumu since its official launch on December 17, 2021.
Early this year, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Odinga cancelled their trip from Nakuru to Kisumu on the train following engineering setbacks.
The President had been expected to launch the meter gauge railway during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Kisumu, but the hitche forced him to travel to the lakeside city on a plane.
Meanwhile, Kenya Railways Corporation has assured the public of their safety along all commuter and passenger routes.
The company further stated that normal services have resumed along the Nairobi-Kisumu route and that it will continue running on schedule.
The company's made the announcement a day after the Kisumu-bound train stalled for several hours in Muhoroni following what the company termed as a slight glitch.
"Kenya Railways wishes to thank all passengers who traveled aboard the Kisumu Safari train for their patience as the Corporation attended to a hitch which caused a disruption of services on December 21, 2012. Kenya Railways is committed to deliver its mandate to the people of Kenya in a safe, secure and reliable way and appeals to all Kenyans to stay alert and keep safe," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
