Kenya and Uganda News - February 2026

[rogerfarnworth]

February 2026 – Kenya and Uganda Railways – Latest News​

I spent 3 weeks in Uganda in February 2026. This short article picks up on local news reports about developments relating to railways in East Africa early in 2026. …. This article follows on from one published early in December 2025.

The featured image at the head of the linked article shows one of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) locomotives and its passenger train on the existing network in Kenya.

NilePost reported on 19th February 2026 that Uganda is fast-tracking final financing for the Malaba–Kampala Standard Gauge Railway, with talks underway with the Islamic Development Bank to unlock 13 trillion UgX. The project promises faster, cheaper cargo transport and stronger regional trade links!

February 2026 – Kenya and Uganda Railways – Latest News

I spent 3 weeks in Uganda in February 2026. This short article picks up on local news reports about developments relating to railways in East Africa early in 2026. …. This article follows on …

rogerfarnworth.com

 

[StephenHunter]

The Ugandan Shilling really needs redenomination!

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Sure does! Just under 5,000 to the pound!

 

[Dunfanaghy Roa]

Sure does! Just under 5,000 to the pound!

If the Ugandan Shilling is the successor to the East African Shilling which we used in Aden when I was 12 then it has gone downhill big time. 1EAS = 1 shilling sterling.
Pat

 

[rogerfarnworth]

It has hovered between about 3,500 to the pound and 5,000 to the pound since I first travelled in Uganda in the 1990s. I suspect that it dropped rapidly in value during Idi Amin's time.

 

[StephenHunter]

It has hoovered between about 3,500 to the pound and 5,000 to the pound since I first travelled in Uganda in the 1990s. I suspect that it dropped rapidly in value during Idi Amin's time.

One of the women who used to be in my ringing group won a racing championship in Uganda and was given a trophy by him. She showed us the picture too.

The Islamic Development Bank loan will mean that they're not paying back interest (not sharia-compliant) but that bank will get some of the profit instead.

What is Islamic finance?

Money management and business dealings that are compatible with Islam

www.bankofengland.co.uk

Islamic finance is a way of managing money and doing business while adhering to the moral principles of Islam. It covers matters such as saving, investing and borrowing to buy a home.

The laws that many Muslims live by are sometimes known as ‘shariah’. So, you may hear Islamic financial services described as ‘shariah-compliant’.

 

[zero]

FXTOP : Check Robot

Check Robot

fxtop.com

There was a redenomination of 100 to 1 in 1987 as well.

The East African shilling was split into the Kenyan, Ugandan and Tanzanian shillings at par, but one Kenyan is now 20 Tanzanian and 2880 Ugandan (taking into account the redenomination).

 

[class442]

February 2026 – Kenya and Uganda Railways – Latest News

I have also been writing an update focused on Kenya, it touches on some of the same things that you have, but I will share it anyway:


Phase 2b of the SGR (Standard Gauge Railway) has started construction. This will extend the route 264km from its current end point near Naivasha (-1.143983, 36.182707), to Kisumu. Phase 2c should see the route completed to Malaba on the Uganda border, mirroring the colonial meter gauge system. Though it will take a different route avoiding Nakuru, unlike Phase 1 Mombasa – Nairobi which largely followed the meter gauge line.

Chinese contractor China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) is being used again:

Kenya launches construction of Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway

Kenya launches Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba SGR construction



In the 2024 rainy season a massive washout/landslide occurred near Kijabe, between Nairobi and Naivasha. This can been seen on google maps, as well as the large storm drain that has been constructed. (-0.916124, 36.575138). This line has now been reconstructed and a press/test train has ran, but I understand that the Nairobi-Kisumu passenger ’safari train’ has yet to recommence.

Kijabe railway line hit by Maai Mahiu tragedy finally reopens | Daily Nation

Kenya Railways Nears Completion of Uplands–Kijabe–Longonot Rail Restoration | Tukio

Uplands-Kijabe-Longonot Rail Section Clears Test Run Ahead of Freight Resumption - Mjengo Hub



An extension to the Nairobi Commuter Rail service is being built. This 12.5km extension from Riruta to Ngong leaves the current meter gauge network near Lenena school, where a new station and passing loop have been built (-1.298371, 36.745943), and then terminate at a new station in Ngong (-1.349521, 36.658960). Google Maps so far shows only construction at Ngong, I’m not sure what route it will take as the Karen area is quite built up (and affluent!). Indeed some people don’t want it to go ahead: Karen residents threaten to block construction of Sh1.2 billion Ngong rail

Court approves Riruta-Ngong Railway Project, Kenya 2026 - Africa Pulse Media

This project got blocked in the courts at the start of this year, but has since been released:

High Court suspends construction of Ngong - Riruta railway

Court Lifts Orders Halting Construction of Ksh11.5B Riruta-Ngong Commuter Rail - Kenyans.co.ke



The Nairobi commuter rail service uses secondhand CAF DMUs imported from Mallorca, as well as loco hauled services. It’s not an all-day metro service, but has a few services in the morning and evening, for commuting I guess.

However, a project has been launched to modernise the Nairobi – Thika line, which in my opinion hopefully will see it have a higher frequency and segregated right of way.

World Bank Commits Ksh 65 Billion for Nairobi-Thika Commuter Rail Upgrade - Kenyans.co.ke



There are proposals to extend the meter gauge railway by 400 miles into the relatively underdeveloped northwest of the country. This would extend from Nakuru to South Lokichar. This proposal would replace a proposed crude oil pipeline, and would cost more, but of course can carry other things apart from crude oil and remain useful after the oil runs out.

The articles say that a standard gauge line had been considered, but would cost twice as much, as meter gauge line would “navigate the topography with minimal tunnelling,” which “significantly reduces construction complexity and cost.” This suggests the line will have minimal earthworks, follow the landscape and be quite slow, much like the existing system, which explains the cheap price tag . Of course, it also means no transhipment will be required at a break of gauge.

Kenya considers $1.7 billion upgrade of colonial-era rail to export crude to an Indian Ocean port by 2030 | Business Insider Africa

Kenya Mulls $1.7 Billion Rail Extension to Ex-Tullow Oil Fields | Financial Post

Kenya Considers Nakuru-South Lokichar Railway Extension Amid $1.7 Billion Upgrade of Colonial Era Rail

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Thank you. ... packed with information and links, much appreciated!

 

[class442]

There is more news from Kenya:

The 127km Voi-Taveta branchline is to be rehabilitated. This meter gauge line branches off from the Mombasa - Nairobi mainline at Voi, crosses the West Tsavo National Park, and joins the Dar-es-Salaam - Moshi 'Tanga Line' at Kahe in Tanzania. Though this Kenyan project is only named to extend to the town of Taveta near the border, it's unclear if the Tanzanian portion is also to be brought back into use, as some of the articles mention that this project would unlock the trade route into Tanzania.

The line has been out of use since 2005. The project is said to cost Ksh 5.5b or £32m.

Voi to become regional logistics hub as Ruto revives MGR line

Kenya Railways to Revive Century-Old Metre Gauge Line Linking Voi and Tanzania - Kenyans.co.ke

KR Targets Regional Integration with Revival of Voi–Taveta MGR – FREIGHT LOGISTICS MAGAZINE

 

[Baxenden Bank]

There is more news from Kenya:

The 127km Voi-Taveta branchline is to be rehabilitated. This meter gauge line branches off from the Mombasa - Nairobi mainline at Voi, crosses the West Tsavo National Park, and joins the Dar-es-Salaam - Moshi 'Tanga Line' at Kahe in Tanzania. Though this Kenyan project is only named to extend to the town of Taveta near the border, it's unclear if the Tanzanian portion is also to be brought back into use, as some of the articles mention that this project would unlock the trade route into Tanzania.

The line has been out of use since 2005. The project is said to cost Ksh 5.5b or £32m.

Voi to become regional logistics hub as Ruto revives MGR line

Kenya Railways to Revive Century-Old Metre Gauge Line Linking Voi and Tanzania - Kenyans.co.ke

KR Targets Regional Integration with Revival of Voi–Taveta MGR – FREIGHT LOGISTICS MAGAZINE

Previously announced:

11/2/15 Moves are afoot to revive the long-dormant 110km branch-line from Voi (164km from Mombasa on the railway to Nairobi) to Taveta, which lies a short distance east of the border with Tanzania

Friday, 2 February 2024
"The Voi-Taveta (118.6km) branch line will be rehabilitated during the period as part of completing the revamping process of the entire MGR network," SGR envisioned in its strategic plan. (2023 to 2027 draft strategic plan)

Perhaps this time!

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Thank you! I have just been looking at the Voi to Kahe line as part of a planned series of articles about the railways of German East Africa, Tanganyika and Tanzania. Here is the link:

Railways of Tanzania – Part 3 – Voi, Kenya to Kahe and Moshi, Tanzania

At the Kenyan end of this line it formed a junction with the Mombasa to Nairobi line at Voi. Two articles on this blog feature Voi. The first looks at the line traveling from the coast to Voi and p…

rogerfarnworth.com

The rest of the articles will be shared soon.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Regarding the Voi to Taveta branch, I just found this in my notes. I do not have a source or the original.

"notice published June 2022 for illegal occupiers to vacate land to enable rehabilitation to take place"

 

[class442]

Perhaps this time!

It seems like construction has actually started now.

Thank you! I have just been looking at the Voi to Kahe line as part of a planned series of articles about the railways of German East Africa, Tanganyika and Tanzania. Here is the link:

Great article! I didn't realise how many structures across rivers etc were missing.
I do wonder whether any grade separation will take place at majors roads, as well as any realignment of the route to reduce journey times.

 

[rogerfarnworth]

It was difficult at times to follow the route on Google Maps. As well as the structures which will need replacing, there may be some long length of track missing or at least buried.

 

[stadler]

Does anyone know what the new CAF DMU units in Uganda are being used for. Uganda Railways announced last year that they had ordered 20 of them. They will be 20 units with 5 coaches each making 100 coaches total.

The artists impression makes them look more like high capacity metro units for short distance suburban services:



Their press release also had a photo of their staff visiting the CAF factory looking at more traditional CAF Civity units:



There is very little information online about what they intend to use the new CAF DMU units for and whether they are for existing services or for any new lines or new services.

 

[rogerfarnworth]

I missed this news. It seems premature for Uganda to be buying anything to run on the future standard gauge network, and they are planning that that will use electric motive power. There has been an effort to begin suburban services on the metre-gauge line in Kampala. These services have been using old passenger stock. I can only presume that the intention is to enhance the suburban service on the metre-gauge but the trackwork is not in a great condition. If not improved, units like these would be travelling slowly, I think.

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

The new CAF DMUs are based on units built for Myanmar, which are a mixture of commuter trains for the Yangon Circular Railway and long distance trains. They were procured as part of a Japanese-funded project to upgrade the Yangon Circular Railway.

Wikimedia Commons photo of the commuter version:

File:CAF YCR DEMU.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

Video by @RailExplorer of the long distance version:

Experience the Yangon to Naypyitaw Journey on Myanmar’s New CAF-Built DEMU Train.

Embark on a comfortable and scenic train journey from Yangon to Naypyitaw aboard Myanmar’s state-of-the-art CAF-built DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit).

This modern Spanish train combines speed, reliability, and safety, offering passengers a smooth ride through the heart of Myanmar’s landscapes.

Travelers can enjoy spacious seating, large panoramic windows, and quiet carriages, perfect for soaking in views of lush countryside, serene rivers, and charming villages along the route. The CAF-built DEMU train ensures a faster, more efficient connection between Yangon, Myanmar’s bustling commercial hub, and Naypyitaw, the country’s planned capital.

Ideal for daily commuters, business travellers, and tourists, this Yangon to Naypyitaw train trip delivers convenience, comfort, and an unforgettable travel experience. Book your journey today and discover Myanmar from a new perspective.

 

[class442]

An update, a locomotive operated by Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd, which transports soda ash from Lake Magadi to Mombasa, caught fire on July 1 2026, at or near Simba station in Kajiado County.

Magadi Ltd privately operate the branch between Magadi and Konza where it joins the Kenya Railways Nairobi-Mombasa meter gauge mainline. Simba station is on the latter section.

It was Magadi Ltd’s loco that caught fire, the articles say:

The fire is believed to have started after mechanical damage to the locomotive’s fuel tank, which resulted in fuel leakage and subsequent sparking.

Looking at the pictures the loco is obviously derailed, so I think the derailed caused the “mechanical damage”, rather than somehow the other way round…

Kenya Railways confirms Magadi train fire in Kajiado

Probe launched after Magadi train catches fire in Kajiado | The Eastleigh Voice

Investigators dig into the cause of Cargo train fire in Kajiado - Kondele News


This is not the first incident for Magadi Ltd, on July 9 2024 one person died after a derailment off a bridge to the commuter train they operate:

‘Not ours’ – Kenya Railways clarifies on ownership of train in fatal Magadi accident - K24 Digital

1 dead, scores injured in Magadi-Konza commuter train morning accident

Kajiado: Casualties Reported As Passenger Train Derails

 

[jamesontheroad]

Apropos of this thread, I was in Nairobi on business last week. I had no time for any train travel or trainspotting, but I was with a colleague who normally works with improvement projects in South Africa's informal settlements, so we hired a private guide to show us around the Kibera slum.

(In South Africa, "informal settlements" is the correct term, but in Kenya and many other African nations, "slum" is still the appropriate word and carries no pejorative meaning).

We were in Kibera for about 3 hours, and visited various initiatives to improve water, sanitation, employment and education. For part of the morning, we walked along the old meter-gauge Nairobi–Kisumu railway from roughly this point west to this point. We were told that the government had authorised an enforced demolition of all permanent structures within a certain distance of the tracks, but as a result, much of the open space had become used as an open dump. Because it was a Sunday, we passed many churches that had put up tents for services on this no-man's land, as well as tradespeople buying and selling along the railway.

At least one commuter train passes through in each direction each day.

All the time we were in Kibera it was notable that small charter flights were taking off from Wilson Airport and flying overhead, mostly shuttling tourists to and from luxury safari lodges.

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Thank you jamesontheroad for your reply and the photographs. I was last in Kibera in 1994. A long time back now!