Travelling in Kenya

There are several means of travel in Kenya.

Train

The trains from Nairobi to Mombasa and Kisumu (and on to Uganda) run on the original railway laid in the 19th century - the Uganda Railway. Most of it is single track and the "tourist" trains run every other day.
For a minimal outlay (£25 to Mombasa), you get a berth in a twin sleeper compartment, and the price includes evening meal and breakfast.
The service is good, the trains are clean, if a little shabby, and you have to remember that they are Kenyan! They run slow, late and the lights are liable to fail. Presently, the Nairobi-Mombasa trip takes about 17 hours, leaving Nairobi at 19.00hr (or maybe a bit later) and travelling overnight.
Having said this, and having recently used the service, it is a very pleasant, relaxed way to travel on holiday. The extended journey time means that the train is still in rural Kenya when it gets light - plenty of time to look at the scenery (and the kids begging for sweets).

Private Taxi

These work in pretty much the same way as in Europe, a saloon car with driver takes you to where you want to go. Note though, that drivers tend to drive fast and furious.

Shuttle

These are 12-seat minibuses that ply a fixed route between two towns. They generally do not stop between their start and destination, except for a toilet break. They do not pick up passengers en route like the matatu. They will not start on the journey until they are full.

Unlike the matatu, because these vehicles are not stopping every two minutes, they pick up speed, which can be disconcerting.

When using this service, it is a good idea to give the vehicle a once-over before agreeing to board. The condition of the tyres is often a good indication of the general condition of the vehicle.

Matatu

These are minibuses, usually licenced to carry 14 passengers, and these days, this is adhered to, more or less. They run on fixed routes like a bus, the fare is cheap, and the ride is extremely uncomfortable, partly because of the way they are driven and partly because of the state of the roads in Kenya.

Tuk-tuk

These are three-wheeler passenger vehicles, the front being a motor scooter and the rear, a 3-seat passenger compartment. These vehicles ply their trade in most town centres, although they are being phased out in Nairobi. Ideal for short journeys, they will pick you up and take you to where you want to go - slowly!