Kenya Railways will partner with a French consortium to build a commuter railway line that will run from Nairobi Central Railway Station to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The Nairobi Airport Line, is one of many projects that the government is implementing to decongest Nairobi.
Upon completion, the project will reduce travel time between Nairobi CBD and JKIA, and thus augment Nairobi’s role as East Africa’s commercial hub.
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Kenya and France have a long tradition of mutual cooperation and the two countries continue to work closely on many fronts.
CS Macharia noted that the proposed JKIA – Nairobi CBD commuter railway line that will be built in partnership with the French, is yet another demonstration of the convergence of the strategic national interests of the two countries.
He also added that this project affirms Kenya’s willingness to partner with diverse countries to build world-class Infrastructure for her citizens.
“Concrete steps are being taken to revamp the Commuter Rail network in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.” he stated
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Transport CS also highlighted that the Government is investing KES 10 billion towards the rehabilitation of four existing lines with the heaviest passenger carrying potential namely:
1. Nairobi Central Station to Ruiru; 2. Nairobi Central Station to Embakasi Village; 3. Nairobi Central Station to Kikuyu; and 4. Nairobi Central Station to Kitengela
This investment will include the acquisition of trains that have been optimized for maximum passenger volumes without sacrificing comfort, the rehabilitation of the meter gauge railway network, and the development of a new station in Kitengela.
This project will also complement the 10 newly built commuter rail stations at Athi River, Embakasi Village, Pipeline, Donholm, Dandora, Mwiki, Githurai, Kahawa, Ruiru and Kikuyu.
The success of this project will go a long way in ensuring that it serves as a solution to traffic congestion in the city.