Nairobi is a step closer to getting its first underground railway after the County Executive Committee (CEC), chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja, approved the implementation framework for Phase I of the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System (NMRTS).
The approval, made during the 90th County Executive Committee meeting, marks the start of the implementation phase for the flagship transport project, according to a statement from Nairobi City County.
The first phase of the project will centre on two major transport corridors, an underground railway through Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and the Eastlands Line, which is intended to improve mobility along one of the city’s busiest commuter routes.
The county said the project was developed through technical collaboration with the Executive Office of the President as part of broader efforts to modernize Nairobi’s public transport system.
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Governor Sakaja described the approval as a major milestone in addressing traffic congestion, saying the city is moving from planning to implementation.
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“For far too long, the people of Nairobi, particularly our hardworking commuters from Eastlands and across the metropolitan area, have lost precious hours in traffic jams that slow down our economic growth,” Sakaja said.”Today, we are moving from planning to implementation. The approval of Phase I of the NMRTS is our commitment to delivering a modern, fast, safe and dignified public transport system.”
The Eastlands Line is expected to strengthen links between the eastern parts of Nairobi and the CBD, reducing travel times for hundreds of thousands of daily commuters.
The county also said the project is expected to generate thousands of jobs during construction and operation while contributing to lower carbon emissions and supporting Nairobi’s long-term climate goals.
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The implementation framework was presented to the County Executive Committee by Dr. Silvester Kasuku, Governance Advisor in the Executive Office of the President.
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Sakaja also announced that planning for Phase II is already underway.
According to the county, the second phase will extend the rail network to Westlands, Ngong Road and Lang’ata, while also serving commuters traveling from Ongata Rongai, Ngong and Nairobi’s western corridor.
Once completed, the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System will be integrated with Nairobi’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network through strategically located interchange stations to create a seamless, high-capacity public transport system across the capital.
Before construction begins, the county government said it will conduct public participation forums, engage transport sector stakeholders and undertake inter-agency planning ahead of the project’s official groundbreaking.
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