Kenya’s President William Ruto has launched the Nairobi railway city project that aims to decongest the Central Business District. The project esti
Kenya’s President William Ruto has launched the Nairobi railway city project that aims to decongest the Central Business District.
The project estimated to cost Sh 27.9billion will be a multi-modal iconic development situated between Haile Sellasie Avenue, Uhuru Highway, Landhies Road and Bunyala Road. The location is strategically located at the nerve centre of the city most suitable for the Nairobi new bus transit transport system.
The development project will feature economic zones that will comprise hi-tech industries and SMEs. It will sit within a 425-acre land piece, of which Kenya Railways owns 292 acres. It will be a green city of office blocks, malls and a light industrial hub.
Railway City Project
The Railway City Project is designed to be a masterpiece providing ease of transport for commuters. The first phase will also comprise 10,000 housing units on 40 acres of Railway City.” Over 200,00 jobs will also be created. The United Kingdom has committed £80 million (Sh11.9 billion) towards the development.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony Ruto said the project marks the beginning of economic development for the city by eliminating transport gridlocks. The project will significantly contribute to the government’s vision of delivering 250,000 affordable urban housing units annually to 6.5 million Kenyans living in informal settlements.
Other than increasing the revenue base for the Nairobi county government, the project will also regenerate the area around Nairobi Central Railway Station into a modern Railway City as well as provide a livable and sustainable urban space. It will also expand the Nairobi CBD to the South, position Nairobi as a leading World City, as well as support ridership for the Nairobi commuter rail.
“We want to provide not just a transport system because people don’t have the ability to drive but because they can walk to work without driving and live a healthy lifestyle,” said Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen.