Eng. George Maina, the KUMIP project team leader, emphasized that the initiative aims to overhaul Nairobi’s commuter rail network, which spans 165 kilometres and connects Nairobi to key counties such as Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Murang’a. He noted that the project’s primary focus is the modernization of the Nairobi-Commuter Rail lines, particularly the route from Nairobi Central Station to Thika, which is projected to accommodate up to 1.4 million passengers daily by 2030
The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has joined forces with the World Bank to implement a groundbreaking project aimed at decongesting Nairobi’s transport system. The Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP) seeks to alleviate the daily frustrations caused by traffic jams and restore valuable time lost on Nairobi’s congested roads.
During a stakeholders’ meeting at the Kenya Railways Headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday, Eng. George Maina, the KUMIP project team leader, emphasized that the initiative is designed to overhaul Nairobi’s commuter rail network, which spans 165 kilometres and links Nairobi with key counties such as Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Murang’a.
Maina highlighted that the primary focus of the project is the modernization of the Nairobi-Commuter Rail lines, specifically from Nairobi Central Station to Thika, with projections of accommodating up to 1.4 million passengers daily by 2030.
“The immediate focus is on the commuter rail from Nairobi Central Station to Thika,” Maina stated, outlining plans for the introduction of new battery-electric trains, upgraded stations, and better access options, including walkways and integrated bus services.
In addition, the project prioritizes green mobility and transit-oriented development (TOD), striving to reduce carbon emissions while improving accessibility around rail stations.
Part of the broader initiative includes modernizing fare collection systems and aligning commuter rail operations with global transport standards. These institutional changes are expected to enhance the overall efficiency of the network.
Slated for launch by April 2025, KUMIP promises to revolutionize urban mobility, addressing issues of congestion, environmental impact, and transportation accessibility. However, some stakeholders expressed concerns about the project’s funding, timelines, and possible disruptions during the transition period.
Ms. Akiko Kishiue, a World Bank team leader, reassured attendees that the World Bank is fully committed to supporting the Government of Kenya, both financially and operationally, to ensure the success of KUMIP. “We are still in the project presentation stage and will adhere strictly to World Bank financial regulations,” she said.
Despite some challenges, the KUMIP initiative represents a major step toward creating a smarter, greener Nairobi, offering hope for an improved transport system in Kenya’s capital.
