This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
Nairobi Commuter Trains Set to Arrive in August 2020 ¶
On July 16, 2020, Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Charles Hinga announced that Nairobi commuter trains are set to arrive in the country in August 2020.
The trains, being shipped from Mallorca, Spain, are expected to greatly improve the transport system in Nairobi, which has heavily relied on roads.
Kenya Railways acquired 11 refurbished Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), five coaches, and spare parts from Spain at a negotiated price of Ksh1.15 billion.
According to Hinga, the DMUs are being loaded onto trucks in Mallorca and will be shipped to Mombasa on July 21, 2020, and arrive 25 days later.
Phase One of the project will see the train ply Nairobi Central Station (NCS) to Ruiru route, NCS to Kikuyu, NCS to Athi River, and NCS to Embakasi.
Nine new stations are expected to be constructed at Kenyatta University, Umoja, Kibera, Thogoto, Mbagathi Way, Thika, Kitengela, Dagorreti, and Strathmore University.
A DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines, meaning they do not require any separate locomotive.
Residents as far as Lukenya, Thika, Limuru, Ngong Town, and Kiambu Town are also set to benefit from the DMU once the project is complete.
