Kenya Railways is building a dedicated railway link connecting Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to Talanta Sports City via Nyayo Stadium and Kibera.
In a statement on September 30, Kenya Railways said the railway connection will provide an additional public transport option for sports fans, athletes and event personnel traveling to major sporting venues.
“Kenya Railways is constructing a dedicated railway connection from Nairobi CBD through Nyayo Stadium to Talanta Sports City providing an efficient public transport option for sports fans, athletes and event personnel,” stated Kenya Railways.
The connection is expected to support movement to and from sporting venues, ease road congestion during major events and improve accessibility for local and international visitors.
13.3km Railway Track to Be Upgraded
According to Kenya Railways, the works include upgrading 13.3 kilometres of the existing railway track from Nairobi Central Station to Satellite.
The project will also involve constructing a 1.3-kilometre second railway line from Kibera to Satellite.
The second line will serve the proposed Talanta Stadium Train Station, providing a rail connection closer to the sporting facilities.
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Kenya Railways said the works will also include the construction of two new commuter stations at Talanta Stadium and Laini Saba.
The stations will provide passengers with additional access points to the railway network and support the movement of people attending sporting and other major events in the area.
Pedestrian Crossings Proposed Along Railway
The project also includes pedestrian infrastructure at several points along the railway corridor.
Kenya Railways said it proposes pedestrian overpasses and underpasses at Kibera, Laini Saba, Gatwekera and Kambi Muru to improve safe access to the railway.
The facilities are intended to make it easier for pedestrians to access and cross the railway corridor safely.
Kenya Railways said the connection will complement Nairobi’s wider urban transport network and strengthen the role of rail in supporting the city’s sports, entertainment and events economy.
The railway is expected to provide an alternative transport option during major events, when large numbers of spectators, athletes and event personnel travel to sporting venues, and the connection will also improve access for visitors traveling to Talanta Sports City while helping reduce pressure on roads during major events.
The railway project comes as Kenya prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania, with Talanta Stadium expected to form part of the venues for the continental tournament.
In August, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said work on Talanta Stadium was 94 per cent complete. He noted that the main playing surface was ready and only awaited stitching, while construction of the two remaining training facilities had reached 50 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively.
Mvurya also said the stadium could stage its first matches in November or December, giving authorities an opportunity to test the facility and resolve any issues before the 2027 tournament.
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Kenya Railways AFCON 2027 Rail Upgrade Plans
Kenya Railways announced plans in January to expand and improve railway infrastructure around key stadiums as part of preparations for the 2027 AFCON.
In a statement issued on January 14, the corporation said the plans followed Kenya’s successful joint bid with Uganda and Tanzania to host the continental football tournament.
The government is seeking to strengthen public transport options ahead of the tournament, with matches in Kenya scheduled to involve Nyayo National Stadium, Talanta Sports City Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Kenya Railways said Nyayo National Stadium had been designated as a training centre because of its central location.
Among the proposed projects was the construction of a railway station near Nyayo National Stadium and a new spur line running from Nairobi Central Station through the Nyayo Stadium area and Kibera before terminating at Talanta Sports City Stadium.
The railway improvements are intended to offer fans, teams and tournament officials a safer and more reliable way of travelling to the venues while reducing pressure on Nairobi’s roads during match days.
Kenya Railways also moved to clear the proposed railway corridor ahead of the planned works.
The corporation issued notices to people who had encroached on land along the route, directing them to vacate the affected areas to allow construction activities, including paving and station development.
It warned that it would remove structures and other property found illegally occupying the railway corridor without further notice, with the affected encroachers bearing the demolition costs.
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