The Nairobi Commuter Rail is set for a transformation as the World Bank pledges to invest significantly in a new 58-kilometer commuter rail project.
This involves rehabilitation of the railway lines, upgrading halts to mini stations, modernizing the Nairobi Central Railway Station, and increasing the rolling stock.
Kenya Railways is spearheading the rehabilitation and modernization of the existing commuter rail network, which spans 139 kilometers across four corridors in the metropolis.
The project will enhance urban transportation services within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, focusing on building resilient and environmentally friendly transport solutions.
So far, Kenya Railways has completed the construction and modernization of 14 stations, with six more currently undergoing upgrades. These efforts will alleviate road congestion in the city while providing safe, reliable, and affordable transport for residents.
“As a Ministry in partnership with the World Bank, we have a robust plan to construct a new 58-kilometer rail network to increase rail transport usage from 20,000 to 100,000 commuters daily. This will help in reducing emissions and combating climate change,” stated CS Chirchir.
This isn’t the first major investment from the World Bank in Kenya’s transport infrastructure. In 2012, it approved US$ 300 million, about Ksh 38.7 billion, in the current exchange rates, for the National Urban Transport Improvement Project.
This funding encompassed plans to develop commuter rail services not only in Nairobi but also in Mombasa and the Kisumu region, alongside bus and highway projects.
The upcoming investment will further support the completion of the US$ 335 million Nairobi commuter rail project. Including the construction of a 7-kilometer branch to serve Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the upgrade of 160 kilometers of meter-gauge lines.
Kenya Railway Corporation (KRC) is tasked with building four stations on the new and upgraded lines, projected to boost capacity from 5 million to an impressive 60 million passengers annually.
