Kenya Railways has started the early construction of The Nairobi Railway City’s Phase 1.
This follows the project’s official groundbreaking at the Nairobi Central Railway station in December last year, which was officially presided over by President William Ruto.
The construction of a pedestrian footbridge across the Nairobi Railway Yard, a new Nairobi Central Railway station, and a public square are all included as part of Phase 1 early works that have already started, according to a statement from Kenya Railways Managing Director Phillip Mainga.
Mainga urged pedestrians and train commuters to exercise caution when entering and exiting Nairobi Central Station, encouraging them to utilize the authorized walkways to avoid accidents.
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In addition, the railway station and public park site will be hoarded and secured. The Nairobi Railway yard will also undergo a thorough drainage overhaul, a new structural steel locomotive shed will be built dubbed the (CXR Sick shed) at Makadara Yard, and the old shed will be moved to Nairobi Yard. Finally, the driveway and parking lot at Kenya Railways Headquarters will be paved.
The multi-modal urban development project will see a revitalization of the railway systems, which will be interlinked with the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system to offer a seamless commuting experience for Nairobians.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, on December 7, 2022, President William Ruto decried the current nature of Nairobi’s transport system, characterized by massive traffic congestion leading to wastage of productivity hours.
Read: Nairobi Railway City: A Panacea For City’s Traffic Woes
The head of state said the new project consists of three convergence masterplans aimed at achieving various purposes, including offering a transport alternative and helping develop the city on the southern side
The railway project will take place on a 425-acre prime piece of land between Haile Sellasie Avenue, Uhuru Highway, Landhies Road, and Bunyala Road.
The completion of the Nairobi Railway City project, which is being built in stages, is anticipated by 2030. The project is sponsored by both the Kenyan and British governments.
