The Cabinet has given the green light for the implementation of the Nairobi Railway City Central Station and Public Realm Project following a meeting chaired by President William Ruto.
In a dispatch on Tuesday, June 24, the State House said that the project is a transformative infrastructure development designed to decongest Nairobi and revitalise the Central Business District.
“This flagship project, seen as a critical step in attracting private investment to the Railway City, will modernise the outdated Central Station into a state-of-the-art, multi-modal transport hub,” read part of the dispatch.
With projected passenger demand rising to 400,000 daily by 2030 and 600,000 by 2045, the new station will feature nine platforms and improved access bridges, allowing for the efficient evacuation of up to 30,000 people per hour.
In addition, surrounding public realm improvements will unlock underutilised land, spur economic activity, and increase foot traffic into the city centre.
SGR connection to JKIA
According to the State House, the project is backed by secured funding for key transport links, including BRT Line 3, several commuter rail lines, and a Standard-Gauge Railway connection to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“It is expected to drive job creation, urban regeneration, and sustainable growth, establishing the station as Nairobi’s premier transport interchange and a symbol of the city’s future urban vision,” the dispatch adds.
Also Read: How KRB is Using Securitization to Solve Infrastructure Funding Gap
Also, the Cabinet has approved the proposed dualling of the 20.2 kilometres Nairobi Northern Bypass, a key infrastructure upgrade aimed at easing traffic congestion and expanding the road’s capacity to handle growing traffic volumes.
Stretching from Ruaka in Kiambu to Ruiru, connecting with both the Western and Eastern bypasses, the Northern Bypass remains Nairobi’s only bypass that is still a single carriageway.
It experiences heavy congestion during peak hours, leading to travel delays, higher transport costs, increased pollution, and reduced productivity.
The project will convert the current single carriageway into a dual carriageway and include the construction of eight interchanges, overpasses, and underpasses, as well as the development of non-motorised transport facilities, including walkways and cycle paths, improved drainage systems, and enhancements to adjacent roads.
The upgrade is expected to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and boost access to economic hubs, industrial zones, and essential services in Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
Cabinet approves Affordable Housing Regulations
In another move to promote easy and equitable access to home ownership, Cabinet endorsed the Affordable Housing Regulations, 2024, to operationalise the Affordable Housing Programme.
Also Read: Govt Reduces Deposit for Affordable Housing Units by 5%
These regulations provide the legal framework for expanding access to decent, affordable housing for Kenyans.
A key feature of the regulations is the reduction of the required housing deposit from 10% to 5%, lowering the barrier to entry for low- and middle-income earners.
Other provisions include equitable housing allocation across income groups, access to low-interest or low-monthly-payment home loans, and structured deposit assistance for those unable to pay upfront.
The regulations also guide the development, design, and maintenance of affordable and institutional housing across all counties. Additionally, they support long-term financing solutions for both development and purchase and provide funding for maintenance and essential services within housing schemes.
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