Nairobi railway project set for Sh3.5b boost

By MACHARIA KAMAU

NAIROBI, KENYA: Ministry of Transport has been allocated Sh3.5 billion to undertake a commuter rail project in Nairobi, which if implemented in line with global standards could eliminate traffic congestions in the city.

In its budget estimates for 2014/2015 financial year, National Treasury said it has set aside the amount for the Urban Commuter Rail System that will refurbish some of the railway lines and trains as well as linking the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Central Railway Station.

“The JKIA commuter rail line connecting the airport to the Nairobi station has also been earmarked and Sh3.5 billion set aside for this,” said the National Treasury says in the Budget estimates.

The Ministry last year built new railway stations in Imara Daima and Makadara that were expected to reduce the number of commuters using roads and in turn help in the reduction of traffic jams. The two stations were in addition to the Syokimau done earlier on.

The stations also have facilities that allow motorists to ‘park and ride’. However, the impact of the trains in reducing congestion is yet to be felt.