UK to prioritise Nairobi City Railway project – Mudavadi

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said the UK government has committed to prioritising the Nairobi Railway City project as part of its Africa agenda.

It followed a meeting Monday at the UK Parliament with Rail Minister Huw Merriman and Trade representative Theo Clarke to discuss the legal and technical matters vital for launching the railway system. 

"We remain committed to collaborating with like-minded partners locally and internationally to improve the lives of Kenyans," Mudavadi said.

The Nairobi Railway City (NRC) is an iconic multi-modal urban development to be situated within the 200-acre prime property that currently serves as the Nairobi Railway Station. 

The project is one of the priority undertakings embodied under the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Plan (NIUPLAN) as a strategy for the expansion of Nairobi’s Central Business District.

The project’s concept arose from growing concerns regarding the rapid growth of Nairobi City thus the need to start thinking beyond city boundaries.

A statement from the Prime CS's office said Clarke will visit Kenya in the coming week to advance discussions on the implementation of the NCR project.

Mudavadi is in the United Kingdom on a three-day working visit which started on Sunday, September 10.

He was accompanied by Attorney General Justin Muturi and Transport PS Mohamed Daghar and was joined by Kenya's Ambassador to the UK Manoah Esipisu.

On Monday, Mudavadi and his entourage toured the renowned Kings Cross London, a blueprint for the envisioned Nairobi Railway City. 

The Kings Cross development has effectively revitalised London's central business district, rendering it a vibrant and sustainable urban hub.

Mudavadi said Kenya's goal in partnering with the UK government is to breathe new life into Nairobi city by establishing a cutting-edge rail station.

He said Kenya will be looking to replicate the success story at Kings Cross, a hub that converges approximately 50 thousand individuals daily in London fostering commerce, commuting and diverse economic endeavours. 

"This venture transcends mere commuter movement; it constitutes a holistic transformation of economic activities surrounding the railway station," Mudavadi said.

"This initiative is the catalyst for bringing the Nairobi Railway City Project to fruition," he added, highlighting the aim to attract approximately 30 thousand individuals daily to the envisioned modern rail station.

According to a blueprint by Kenya Railways, the Nairobi Railway City will occupy an area situated within the site containing the Nairobi Central Railway Station, the marshalling yard, the Kenya Railways Pension Scheme Land (Landimawe Estate), the locomotive and wagons workshops and the section of Nairobi’s Industrial Area that borders the southern boundary of the Nairobi Railway Station.

The strategic location of the Nairobi Station area also positions it perfectly to be an iconic nerve centre for the Nairobi Multimodal Transport System with a world-class new central station incorporating mixed-use commercial developments, hotels and intermodal facilities.

"The proposed linkages across the existing rail tracks will increase access to the current CBD and promote the continuation of the city fabric towards the south," the masterplan states.