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The Ministry of Transport and Public Works, led by Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, has unveiled plans to construct 13 new commuter rail stations within the Nairobi Metropolitan area.

This initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion, curb carbon emissions, and facilitate the free movement of people.

Murkomen announcement

Murkomen announced that the construction of the 13 commuter train stations is slated for completion by September 2024, with the launch scheduled for October 1, 2024.

“The Ministry has set a deadline of September this year to complete the construction of 13 new commuter rail stations in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area to reduce traffic congestion, curb carbon emissions, and ensure free movement of people within the Metropolis,” Murkomen stated via a post on his social media platform X.

The areas set to benefit from the new commuter rail stations include, Mlolongo, Kitengela, Lukenya, Mutindwa, Kariobangi, Kenyatta University, Gitambaya (Ruiru), Aviation, Kibera, Satellite, Mutuini, Thogoto and Gitaru.

“The new stations set to be commissioned for use by October 1 this year are Mlolongo, Kitengela, Lukenya, Mutindwa, Kariobangi, Kenyatta University, Gitambaya (Ruiru), Aviation, Kibera, Satellite, Mutuini, Thogoto, and Gitaru. This initiative, supported by our development partners, seeks to offer cheaper, seamless, and more convenient means of transport for the residents of the Nairobi Metropolis,” he added.

Murkomen on increasing passengers

The ministry targets to increase rail passenger traffic significantly, from the current 20,000 to 120,000 passengers this financial year alone, with a projection to reach half a million passengers by 2027.

“The expansion and modernization of our railway system, which is part of the larger mass rapid transit development initiative, will increase rail passenger traffic from the current 20,000 to 120,000 this financial year alone and half a million passengers by 2027,” Murkomen explained.

Together with Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga, Murkomen inspected the progress of the construction along the Nairobi-Lukenya line, expressing optimism about meeting the set deadlines and achieving the project’s goals.

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