Big Changes Coming To Nairobi Thika Railway As 15 Stations Get A Major Upgrade Under World Bank Plan

Kenya Railways Corporation has unveiled plans to upgrade the 57-kilometre Nairobi Central to Thika commuter railway. Fifteen stations along the route will get different improvements under a World Bank-backed urban transport project.

The line will link the Central Business District to homes and businesses across Nairobi and Kiambu counties. Commuters travelling through Dandora and Githurai as well as Ruiru and Thika are expected to benefit.

A preliminary environmental and social impact assessment report says the railway passes through 15 stations. These begin at Nairobi Central and continue through Kaloleni and Makadara. Others include Mutindwa and Kariobangi South before Dandora.

The line then proceeds to KPCU and Maili Saba followed by Mwiki and Githurai. It goes on to Kahawa West and Kenyatta University and Ruiru before Kalimoni in Juja. The last stop is Thika.

Eight stations are operational at the moment. They are Nairobi Central and Makadara plus Dandora and Mwiki. The rest are Githurai and Kahawa West plus Ruiru and Thika.

Four other stations exist but are not working. They are Kaloleni and Mutindwa as well as Kariobangi South and Kenyatta University. Three new halts are proposed at KPCU and Maili Saba and Kalimoni.

The upgrade will repair railway infrastructure and modernise stations. It will also improve passenger safety and accessibility. Access roads and cycling paths and walkways and street lighting will be built within one kilometre of each station.

The government is also considering modernising the whole Nairobi Commuter Rail network. This includes electrification and new trainsets that could benefit the Thika line.

Kenya Railways is building a new maintenance workshop at Makadara Railway Station. It will service locomotives and coaches. Earlier this year the World Bank committed USD500 million or Ksh65 billion.

https://x.com/kenyans/status/2112861637665587497?s=46

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