The much-anticipated Nairobi Railway City project, a KSh30 billion investment funded through a public-private partnership (PPP) with the United Kingdom, is set to commence, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s urban transport transformation. As part of the preparations, passenger service vehicles (PSVs) operating at the Railways bus terminal will be relocated before the end of the year to pave the way for construction.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga confirmed that an agreement with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has been reached, ensuring that matatu operators will be moved to the Green Park Terminal. This relocation aligns with the government’s broader plan to modernize and streamline the city’s transport network. “They are waiting for us to start, and they will move to Green Park Terminal. We have completed our commitment. We said we cannot move them out until we are ready to start the project,” said Mainga.
The Nairobi Railway City, sitting on 425 acres of prime land in the city center, is a flagship initiative under the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership. The project aims to enhance mobility and interconnectivity by integrating Nairobi’s transport nodes. This will be achieved through an expanded Central Railway Station, new bus rapid transit (BRT) lines, and improved matatu termini, creating a seamless transit network for residents.
Once relocated, passengers will utilize an underground tunnel currently under construction along Haile Selassie Avenue to access the Central Business District (CBD). Inspired by renowned railway cities such as London’s King’s Cross Station, the Nairobi Railway City is envisioned as a hub for travel, business, and leisure.
First introduced at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in 2020, the project saw its groundbreaking ceremony officiated by President William Ruto on December 7, 2022. Now, with studies and consultancies completed, procurement is set to begin in the 2025-2026 financial year.
Meanwhile, preparatory infrastructure projects are nearing completion. A key bridge and workshops in Makadara, crucial to the city’s railway transformation, are almost finished. Mainga assured that the next phase, including public lanes, platforms, and expansion works, will begin soon.
Despite the push for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) expansion, the metre gauge railway remains integral to Kenya’s transport system, catering to both passenger and cargo needs. Currently, the Nairobi commuter rail system transports between 20,000 and 30,000 passengers daily, underscoring the importance of modernizing the city’s transport infrastructure for future growth.
