World Bank Set To Fund Kenya Railways With 24 Modern Train Compressors
Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has partnered with the World Bank to purchase 24 Diesel Multiple Unit air compressors, a new initiative aimed at enhancing the reliability of Nairobi’s commuter rail services.
The procurement, conducted through a public tender notice issued by KRC on May 12, is being carried out under the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP), a World Bank-financed initiative.
“The Government of Kenya has applied for financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUIMIP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for Purchase of Twenty-Four (24) Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) air compressors,” stated the notice in part.
These train diesel compressors are vital components that supply compressed air to power the brakes, doors, wipers, and horns.
Of essence is that they run continuously to maintain safe pressure levels, ensuring reliable and safe passenger train operations.
The tender has been floated through international competitive procurement, implying that suppliers from across the world are eligible to participate, provided they meet the set requirements.
“Bidding will be conducted through international competitive procurement using a Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s,” added the notice.
Once the procurement process is done, KRC reveals that all 24 compressors will be delivered to the Kenya Railways Nairobi Central Workshops Stores, where they will be fitted into the existing fleet of Diesel Multiple Unit trains currently serving commuter routes.
ALSO READ:
- World Bank Set To Fund Kenya Railways With 24 Modern Train Compressors
- EACC Arrests THREE Civil Servants Over Fake Academic Certificates
- EXPLAINER: Why The Senate Impeached Gachagua Despite Being Hospitalized
- Local, Foreign Activists Arrested While Protesting Outside KICC
- France, Kenya Sign Ksh106 Billion Maritime Project For Ports Expansion
The process follows the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF), which govern how borrowing countries must conduct procurement under World Bank-financed projects.
🇰🇪 Nairobi set to invest more than $26M in modern SGR coaches & train wheels
— Sputnik Africa (@sputnik_africa) May 7, 2026
Kenya Railways is using its 2026/27 budget to roll out advanced coaches & a smarter ticketing system—with electrification on the track to boost regional connectivity.
👇 Watch the video for details. pic.twitter.com/6qlQX35XPr
“Bidding will be conducted through international competitive procurement using a Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s ‘Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers,” stated the notice.
With the tender in place, KRC stipulates that every bidder must submit a bid security of Ksh1.5 million in the form of a bank guarantee issued by a registered commercial bank in Kenya, valid for 240 days from the tender opening date.
The bid submission deadline is June 11, 2026, with electronic bidding explicitly ruled out and late bids to be rejected without consideration.
This comes days after the World Bank cancelled a similar tender on April 28, costing Ksh65 billion under unknown circumstances.
World Bank Set To Fund Kenya Railways With 24 Modern Train Compressors
