Nairobi Commuter Rail

Kenya

eleQtra is working with Kenya Railways to develop the Nairobi Commuter Rail Project.

The Project will involve the rehabilitation of approximately 60 km of the existing rail system within Nairobi, the construction of 5-7 km of new track to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the rehabilitation or construction of stations and other facilities along the network and the integration of a new signalling system and new purpose-built rolling stock.  The Project will expand social and economic opportunities for all residents, introducing modern efficient equipment and reducing congestion in and around Nairobi.

The Project is being implemented as a Public Private Partnership with the Government of Kenya and Kenya Railways.

Primary Economic Benefits

  • The Project will replace the existing inefficient rail, signalling equipment, stations and locomotive-hauled coaches with modern and efficient rail infrastructure and passenger coaches with new technology that is more suited to commuter rail operation.
  • The Project will provide a link to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to enable smooth and rapid transit between the airport and the Nairobi Central Business District, reinforcing Nairobi’s status as the commercial and regional transport hub of East Africa.

Primary Social Benefits

  • The Project will provide dependable transport services allowing residents of Nairobi to commute to and from work reliably, and open up new opportunities for employment and housing for all its users, including lower-income residents of Nairobi.

Project Structure

  • The Project will be implemented as a Public Private Partnership with Kenya Railways.  Under a Concession Agreement, Kenya Railways will grant the project company the right to develop, construct, operate and maintain the Project, including the airport rail link, and the right to use all Kenya Railways fixed assets, including the stations at Syokimau, Imaira Daima and Makadara.

Project Relevance

  • This project will promote growth and efficiency, spur sustainable development for underprivileged communities, maximize local content and create employment opportunities throughout the greater area of Nairobi.
  • As the second major urban transportation project in Sub-Saharan Africa and the first outside South Africa, it will have a significant demonstration effect for cities across the continent of Africa, most of which face extreme congestion and a lack of urban transport infrastructure.

Nairobi Commuter Rail

Kenya

Approximate scope of project

Cost: US$ 325-350 Million
Time: 2 years construction, 30-50 years operation

Partners

- Kenya Railways Corporation

Nairobi Commuter Rail Project Video

The video shows the overall scope of the Nairobi Commuter Rail Project, as well as its projected impact on the city of Nairobi.