UK-Kenya Forge Sh30B Partnership to Transform Nairobi Railway City

LONDON, United Kingdom, July –President William Ruto recently visited King’s Cross Railway Station in London, a renowned transport hub accommodating over 50 million passengers annually.

The benchmarking trip was aimed at revitalising the heart of Nairobi’s public transport system.

Dr Ruto’s visit to 10th Downing Street led to the announcement of a vital funding agreement between Kenya and the UK, valued at Sh11.5 billion (£61.5 million).

The financial boost is further geared towards enhancing the upgrade of Nairobi Railway City at a total cost of Sh30 billion.

Once completed, the project will improve connectivity and accommodate over 2 million daily commuters.

President Ruto when he visited King’s Cross Railway Station in London recently. Two years prior, plans were unveiled to redevelop the Nairobi Central Railway Station and its surrounding areas into the innovative Nairobi Railway City. Photo: PCS.

This ambitious project is integral to a broader master plan aimed at establishing Nairobi as a national and regional multi-sectoral hub.

In 2022, during the groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Dr Ruto, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, and other dignitaries, it was highlighted that significant progress has already commenced.

Green Urban Zones

Relocation of the busy railway bus terminal is underway, coupled with the construction of a 500-metre underground pedestrian link at the intersection of Haile Selassie Avenue and Uhuru Highway.

To improve commuter safety and flow, the new Nairobi Railway City will feature 10 additional platforms, a central square, shopping areas, and green urban zones, reinforcing the project’s commitment to sustainability.

Inspired by the design of King’s Cross Railway Station, this development will span 438 acres in Nairobi’s Central Business District.

The project’s design, completed by Atkins UK, has been handed over to Kenya Railways and the Ministry of Transport.

It emphasises sustainable development, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.

From Left- President Ruto alongside the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly during the groundbreaking ceremony for the modernisation of the Nairobi Railway City Station in 2022. The upcoming project is curated with features such as Non-Motorised Transport Corridors and an integrated public transport system, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines. Photo Courtesy

As a transformative undertaking for Kenya, the Nairobi Railway City project aims to serve as a model for future urban developments in African cities.

The initiative will, however, revitalise the capital’s core, with plans for 10,000 new homes across six unique precincts on 438 acres of prime land.

Nairobi Railway City project. Video courtesy of Kenya Railways

During the visit, President Ruto was flanked by senior officials, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja, among others.

“The Nairobi Railway City represents not just a transportation hub but a pivotal driver of economic growth and urban rejuvenation for Nairobi,” Ruto said.