The World Bank is set to invest Sh65 billion to modernize and expand Nairobi’s commuter rail system as part of a broader Sh221 billion Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP). Led by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), the initiative represents the most ambitious overhaul of the capital’s rail infrastructure in decades.
On October 2, 2024, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed the commitment during the commissioning of seven new stations along the Nairobi-Ruiru corridor. “The World Bank has pledged Sh65 billion towards the construction of 58 kilometres of new rail network which will transform the commuter experience with a target of transporting 100,000 passengers daily by the end of the 2024/2025 Financial Year, up from the current 20,000.”
The project will upgrade about 58 kilometres of priority rail lines, expand operational stations from 35 to 53, and introduce modern signaling systems, automated fare collection and battery-electric trains. Key corridors linking Nairobi CBD to Thika, Ruiru, Limuru, Kikuyu and Embakasi will be upgraded, alongside new transit hubs and improved access for pedestrians and feeder buses.
At a KUMIP Market Engagement Conference on January 16, 2025, KRC Project Team Leader Eng. John Maina described the vision: “The extension of this route will significantly ease congestion on both the rail and road networks, addressing one of the busiest commuter corridors in the region,” according to KRC’s official conference report. World Bank official Ms Akiko Kishiue added that the expanded network would “significantly improve access to affordable and reliable transportation across Nairobi’s metropolitan area.”
The broader Sh221 billion programme combines financing from the World Bank, the Kenyan government and other development partners. Authorities say the investment will help transform Nairobi’s urban transport system by encouraging more residents to shift from private vehicles and minibuses to rail based mass transit.
Once completed, the expanded commuter rail network is expected to play a key role in Kenya’s long term urban mobility strategy, providing a more sustainable transport option while supporting the continued growth of Nairobi and other major cities.
