Kenya – Uganda Railway: A short history

The Kenya – Uganda Railway was built by the Imperial British East Africa company back in the 1890s. Construction of the line began at the Kilindini Harbour in Mombasa in 1895. Around 1900, the line arrived at the present site of the city of Nairobi. Indeed, Nairobi owes its existence to railway engineers who drained a vast swamp, thus enabing the construction of permanent buildings. Indian labourers began commercial activities to cater for railway crews and colonial administrators. The railway arrived at Port Florence (Kisumu) around 1901.

Eventually, the British Government took over the territories of Kenya and Uganda from the Imperial British East Africa Company. In 1920, Kenya became a colony of the Crown under direct administration of the Colonial Office in London.

The railway was expanded from Eldoret to Kampala, bypassing the use of ships on Lake Victoria from Kisumu. Additional branch lines were built from Nakuru to Nyahururu, from Nakuru to Rongai and from Konza to Magadi. The invasion of Ethiopia by Italy during World War 2 forced the British to build a railway from Nairobi to Nanyuki in order to supply its forces. British troops forced the Italians out of Ethiopia and restored Emperor Haile Selassie to his throne.

After independence in the early 1960s, railway and port operations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were administered by a single body: the East African Railways and Harbours. The break up of the East African Community in 1977 marked the beginning of the end for the region’s railway system. Each of the three East African countries took up running its own system. In Kenya, railway and port operations were split between two state-owned corporations: Kenya Railways and Kenya Ports Authority. The railway became starved of funds.

In Uganda, civil war between 1979 and 1986 paralyzed railway transport which is yet to recover to this day.

13 Responses

  1. the map about the uganda railwayin the(1902-1956)

  2. I like it

  3. Bornn and educated in Nakuru most beautiful country fantastic weather.Beautiful people revisted after fourty years enjoyed every minute of my visit.

  4. i like it

  5. […] RVR strengthens its resolve to turn around the 100 year old Uganda-Kenya railway line, and overhaul it to make it worth, through quality workmanship, the Railway operator has received […]

  6. come to uganda

  7. The Whole African continent needs to open railway systems like veins in a human body. Also kicking out that Euro Trash (The Churches and Pedophiles) Will help Kenya’s Children out of the sex trade. “Two Birds One Stone” [BIG SMILE]
    Note:
    This plan worked for the smart countries.
    China
    Russia
    India
    Sudan
    Iran
    Mozambique
    North Korea
    Vietnam
    Yemen
    etc.

  8. Looking for photos of “Lunatic Line” locomotive

  9. […] African countries), mainly Sikhs & Punjabis, were recruited for a three-year-contract to build Kenya Uganda Railways. Almost all of them came alone, leaving their wives in […]

  10. […] Enough wealth was being transported to entice the Imperial British East Africa Company to lay Irons at Kilindini Harbor in Mombasa and stretch them into the interior towards Lake Victoria. […]

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