Kenya, UK in partnership to boost Sh28 billion Nairobi Railways City project

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has announced a landmark partnership between Kenya and the United Kingdom to realize the ambitious Sh28 billion Nairobi Railways City project.

This multi-modal urban development initiative, which received a significant boost following bilateral talks held in London, is poised to position Nairobi and the nation as a pivotal economic hub on both regional and global fronts.

"I am happy to announce that the UK government has committed to prioritizing the Nairobi City Railway as part of its Africa agenda," Mudavadi said.

Mudavadi, who is leading the Kenyan delegation to the UK, underscored the project's transformative potential. 

"What we want to achieve with the cooperation and partnership between Kenya and the UK is to make sure we rehabilitate and have a new and modern railway station set up as soon as possible," he stated.

Highlighting the broader economic implications, Mudavadi added, "This is not only about the horizontal movement of people but it is also about completely altering the economic activities around the railway stations. What we have seen at Kings Cross rail station in London, is a hub that brings about 50,000 people a day to deal with commerce, commute, and handle other economic issues and this has generated a new ecosystem around that area."

The Nairobi Railways City project, set to be the first of its kind in Africa, is designed to be climate-resilient and will provide seamless integration to the city's transport nodes.

This integration will be achieved through an expanded Central Station, new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines and stations, and a revamped matatu termini.

These developments aim to offer city residents clear transit pathways in and out of the Central Business District.

The recent discussions in London followed a visit to Kenya by United Kingdom’s Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Andrew Mitchell, who co-launched the project.

The project has also garnered substantial funding commitments from the UK government.

"With the funding we are going to get from the UK government towards the Nairobi Railways City Project, it should be able to help us achieve a similar fit as what we have witnessed in London," stated Mudavadi.

As a flagship project, Mudavadi emphasized that the Kenyan government is committed to enhancing partnerships in business strategy that will empower organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact in the future.

He further elaborated on the progress made during their meetings in London, stating, "We have held a series of meetings here in London and we have gone through the next steps and key issues that need to be tackled from a legal and technical perspective so that the Railways City project can take off."

The project's significance extends beyond economic benefits, as it is expected to create numerous job opportunities, particularly for the youth.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen affirmed that intricate designs are on track for completion by the end of this year, with major works at the Central Station slated to commence in January of the following year.

These developments coincide with plans for a major Africa-UK Trade conference, further cementing the importance of this partnership.

"In our engagements here, we have also been informed by the trade minister that by April next year, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak will be setting up an African Trade conference, and one of the major projects he will be setting an eye on is the Nairobi Railways City," Mudavadi revealed.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Attorney General Justin Muturi among other members of the Kenyan delegation to the UK.

With this partnership, Kenya and the UK are poised to shape the future of Nairobi's infrastructure and economy, setting the stage for a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow.