58-Km Commuter Rail Project For Nairobi As World Bank Invests Billions
The Nairobi transportation system is about to undergo a transformative shift, as the World Bank prepares to invest heavily in a new 58-kilometer commuter rail project.
This initiative, confirmed by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, aims to increase commuter usage from 20,000 to a whopping 100,000 per day.
This leap demonstrates a strong commitment to transforming urban mobility in Kenya’s thriving capital.
The announcement was made during the unveiling of new luxury coaches on Wednesday, October 2.
The World Bank and the Kenyan government have already begun working together on the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP).
Today, I had the honor of conducting a familiarization tour and commissioning of the Nairobi Commuter Rail (NCR) station, a key component of the Nairobi Metropolitan Transport master plan and the transformative #BETA Agenda. pic.twitter.com/vK2z4DHVN5
— Davis Chirchir, EGH (@davis_chirchir) October 2, 2024
This project aims to improve urban transportation services in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area by focusing on developing institutional capacity for resilient and environmentally friendly transport solutions.
The Nairobi Commuter Rail development is a key component of the Nairobi Metropolitan Transport Master Plan.
Kenya Railways is in charge of rehabilitating and modernising the metropolis’ existing commuter rail network, which stretches 139 kilometres across four corridors.
The initiative includes upgrading railway lines, converting halts into mini stations, modernizing the Nairobi Central Railway Station, and expanding the rolling stock.
Kenya Railways has successfully completed the construction and modernisation of 14 stations, with six more currently being upgraded.
These efforts are designed to alleviate road congestion in the city while providing safe, dependable, and affordable transportation for Kenyans.
I successfully concluded my familiarization tour and commissioning of the Nairobi Commuter Rail (NCR) station by flagging off the inaugural luxurious @KenyaRailways_'s Madaraka Premium Class Train, an additional service for passengers traveling through the Nairobi-Mombasa route. pic.twitter.com/k7wrRDkmZq
— Davis Chirchir, EGH (@davis_chirchir) October 2, 2024
“As a Ministry in partnership with the World Bank, we have a robust plan to construct a new 58-kilometre rail network to increase rail transport usage from 20,000 to 100,000 commuters daily,” stated CS Chirchir.
“This will be a significant contribution to reducing emissions and combating climate change.”
This is not the World Bank’s first significant investment in Kenya’s transportation infrastructure.
In 2012, it approved US$ 300 million, or Ksh38.7 billion at current exchange rates, for the National Urban Transport Improvement Project (Nutrip).
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This funding included plans to develop commuter rail services in Nairobi, Mombasa, and the Kisumu region, as well as bus and highway projects.
The upcoming investment will contribute to the completion of the US$ 335 million Nairobi commuter rail project.
This includes building a 7-kilometer branch to serve Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and upgrading 160 kilometres of metre-gauge lines.
Kenya Railway Corporation (KRC) is tasked with building four stations on the new and upgraded lines, which are projected to increase capacity from 5 million to an impressive 60 million passengers annually.
58-Km Commuter Rail Project For Nairobi As World Bank Invests Billions
