World Bank to fund Nairobi's 58km rail upgrade at Sh65 billion

The World Bank has committed Sh65 billion towards the construction of a new 58-kilometer commuter rail network that aims to improve commuter services in Nairobi.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the project will enhance the daily experience of commuters, with a target of transporting 100,000 passengers each day.

"We aim to finish this by the end of the financial year 2025," he added.

This initiative is part of the Nairobi Commuter Rail Development, which falls under the Nairobi Metropolitan Transport Masterplan.

The goal is to ease congestion in the city and improve service delivery through a comprehensive modernisation of the existing rail network.

The project includes several upgrades, such as rehabilitating railway lines, improving the ticketing system, enhancing signalling infrastructure, and expanding the rolling stock.

According to Chirchir, numerous railway stations have already been completed, including those at Ruiru, Githurai, Dandora, Kariobangi, Lukenya, Kitengela, Aviation, Mutindwa, Kenyatta University, Satellite, Mlolongo, and Konza.

"We have ongoing projects in Kibera, Makongeni, Mutuini, Thogoto, and Kariobangi," Chirchir said on Wednesday adding that the government plans to complete 32 new stations, significantly boosting commuter capacity within Nairobi's metropolitan area.

Nairobi Light Rail System

The CS also noted that the implementation of the Nairobi Light Rail system is underway, with 500 coaches being rehabilitated to support the existing metre gauge railway.

Kenya Railways has also acquired diesel multiple units (DMUs), which offer reliable, comfortable, and modern rail transport.

"The DMUs are smaller and faster, providing the government with greater flexibility," Chirchir explained.

Additionally, a state-of-the-art carriage and wagon workshop is under construction, while CS Chirchir recently flagged off several first-class and business-class coaches to enhance passenger comfort, especially for those traveling to the coast.

The Transport CS stressed on the importance of government and development partners collaboration in such projects.

"It is our commitment as the government to work on this kind of investment support coming from our development partners,"Chirchir said.

Efforts to reduce congestion in Nairobi will also focus on the ticketing system.

The Transport CS said the government is working to streamline ticketing processes for passengers traveling out of the city.

French investment

Some of this improvement is being funded by the French government, which has provided 128 million Euros (Sh18 billion) to enhance both ticketing and signaling systems.

"The investment we have signed with the French government will facilitate better ticket issuance and signaling systems. We must seriously invest in improving our transport system," Chirchir added.

Kenya Railways, which owns over 5,000 acres of land, is in the process of securing its assets from encroachers.

To protect these assets and railway corridors, Chirchir said the government has deployed 1,300 railway police officers.

"We must maintain the corridors to ensure smooth operations," he noted.

The CS further revealed that Sh4 billion has already been spent on building new stations to improve accessibility to the train services. Other city decongestion measures, such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, are also in progress.

"There is going to be significant investment because if we don't decongest the city, it becomes very expensive to get to work. The hours spent in traffic, burning fuel, and harming the environment are unsustainable," he said.

The ongoing modernisation efforts aim to provide safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for passengers in and around Nairobi.

"It aims at providing passengers with safe, reliable, affordable transport services in and around the city," Chirchir concluded.

The Nairobi commuter rail upgrade encompasses the rehabilitation and improvement of 139 kilometers of rail track, making the city's transport network more efficient and accessible.