Sakaja’s cabinet approves construction of phase one underground rail linking CBD to Eastlands

The first phase of constructing a modern mass transit system in Nairobi has received a green light after the county government approved the implementation framework targeting key commuter routes between Eastlands and the Central Business District (CBD).

The approval by the County Executive Committee (CEC), chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja, will pave the way for the implementation of Phase I of the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System (NMRTS). The decision was reached during the 90th County Executive Committee meeting and follows close technical collaboration between Nairobi City County and the Executive Office of the President in developing the project.

Phase I of the project will focus on two major transport corridors, including an underground rail core within the CBD and the Eastlands Line, which will serve some of Nairobi’s busiest commuter routes.

Sakaja described the approval as a major step in addressing the city’s long-standing traffic congestion challenges and improving public transport services.

“For far too long, the people of Nairobi, particularly our hardworking commuters from Eastlands and across the metropolitan area, have lost precious hours in traffic jams that slow down our economic growth. Today, we are moving from planning to implementation," he said.

"The approval of Phase I of the NMRTS is our commitment to delivering a modern, fast, safe and dignified public transport system. By integrating an underground CBD core with high-capacity links to Eastlands, we will unlock Nairobi’s economic potential, lower the cost of transport and build a cleaner, greener and world-class city.”

The approved framework will prioritise improving the connection between Eastlands and the CBD, with the county saying the project will help reduce travel times for hundreds of thousands of commuters who use the routes every day.

The underground CBD section will also help ease congestion on surface roads through the development of integrated transit terminals that will link rail services, pedestrians and non-motorised transport.

Beyond improving movement within the city, the county government said the project is expected to provide thousands of employment opportunities during construction and operation while supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote Nairobi’s long-term sustainability and climate goals.

The proposal was presented by Dr Silvester Kasuku, Governance Advisor in the Executive Office of the President, reflecting the cooperation between the National Government and Nairobi City County in delivering the infrastructure project.

Governor Sakaja further announced that planning for the second phase of the NMRTS has already started.

Phase II will extend the transport network to Westlands, Ngong Road and Lang’ata while serving the growing commuter populations from Ongata Rongai, Ngong and Nairobi’s western corridor.

Once completed, the NMRTS will be connected with Nairobi’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system through strategically located interchange stations, creating a seamless high-capacity public transport network across the city.

The county government will now begin public participation forums, stakeholder consultations with transport sector players and inter-agency planning before the official groundbreaking of the project.