Ruto, UK PM meeting sets stage for Nairobi’s multi-billion railway city rollout

The project has been gaining momentum as part of a broader Kenya-UK strategic partnership, with the goal of reshaping the capital's transport infrastructure and unlocking new economic potential.

A Tuesday meeting between President William Ruto and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom at 10 Downing Street in London set the stage for the project that is expected to begin later this year.

Kenya and the United Kingdom renewed their strategic partnership, setting the momentum for more bilateral trade and investment.

The project aims to modernise the area surrounding the Nairobi Central Railway Station, transforming it into a commercial and transportation hub.

“This will create wealth and jobs, and deliver a tangible economic impact. This will be transformative; it will improve mobility, stimulate growth and foster prosperity in the Nairobi Metropolitan,” said President William Ruto.

The Kenyan president said the financing framework for the project was being finalised, with Kenya undertaking to provide counterpart funding.

The railway city project is expected to be completed within three years and is designed to enhance mobility and interconnectivity within Nairobi and its surrounding areas.

The project was first mooted at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, held in London in early 2020, and its groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by President William Ruto on December 7, 2022.

The project will involve top-level government officials. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is leading the strategic oversight of the development, while Treasury Secretary John Mbadi is tasked with financial accountability.

Transport Secretary Davis Chirchir is overseeing the transport infrastructure elements, while Kenya Railways Corporation Managing Director Phillip Mainga has been front-facing the implementation, with emphasis on land use planning and stakeholder coordination.

It also forms part of President Ruto’s urban regeneration agenda, which includes infrastructure upgrades and expansion of public transport.

The move follows the Cabinet's approval last week of the implementation of the Nairobi Railway City Central Station and Public Realm Project.

The Cabinet meeting backed this flagship infrastructure venture as part of the capital’s broader urban transformation agenda.

The project, which aims to decongest the Central Business District and attract new private investment, will see the outdated Nairobi Central Station redeveloped into a cutting-edge, multi-modal transport hub.

Designed to meet the growing demand for efficient urban transit, the new facility will feature nine platforms and enhanced access bridges, allowing for the evacuation of up to 30,000 passengers per hour.