World Bank Funding to Modernize Nairobi–Thika Corridor

In a major development for urban public transport, the 57-kilometer Nairobi Central–Thika commuter railway line is set to undergo a Sh65 billion ($500 million) modernization program funded by the World Bank under the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP).

According to project details and environmental reports published on Friday, October 30, 2026, the comprehensive upgrade aims to transform the corridor into a modern, high-capacity urban rail transit system, providing an efficient alternative for thousands of commuters traveling between Nairobi CBD and Kiambu County.

The modernization plan targets 15 stations along the northeastern transit belt, encompassing densely populated areas including Dandora, Mwiki, Githurai, Kahawa West, and Ruiru.

The project will introduce three brand-new stations—at KPCU, Maili Saba, and Kalimoni—while rehabilitating four currently non-operational stops at Kaloleni, Mutindwa, Kariobangi South, and Kenyatta University to expand passenger access across residential and commercial hubs.

Executed by Kenya Railways Corporation under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the project will overhaul railway tracks, install automated fare-collection systems, and deploy modern train-control infrastructure.

Additionally, Kenya Railways plans to establish a central maintenance depot at Makadara Railway Station to handle servicing, repairs, and overhauls for the expanding passenger coach fleet.

The initiative is designed to address the persistent bumper-to-bumper traffic congestion along the Thika Superhighway by integrating rail services with localized feeder buses and matatu interchanges.

Transportation planners expect the modernized rail line to significantly cut daily travel times, lower vehicle emissions, and unlock local economic opportunities across Nairobi’s eastern and northern suburbs.

Implementation frameworks and technical assessments are currently being finalized ahead of physical groundworks.

Upon completion, the project will serve as a foundational pillar of Nairobi’s wider Mass Rapid Transit framework, aligning with national urban mobility goals to modernize transit networks across the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.

https://x.com/PeopleDailyKe/status/2116193827979771967?a=aT6xfKivvDIk8b7euqg&s=20

kenya-news-updates feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com