Kenya Railways is set to acquire a fleet of electric commuter trains under the KES 65 billion ($670 million) Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP), marking a major milestone in the country's push towards cleaner, faster and more efficient public transport.
The announcement forms part of a World Bank-funded programme to modernise Nairobi's commuter rail network and ease chronic congestion in the capital. The new electric trains will replace ageing diesel-powered locomotives and connect Nairobi with Kiambu and nine other towns through an upgraded commuter rail system.
The project aims to transform the 165-kilometre Nairobi Commuter Rail network into a high-capacity urban transit system capable of serving more than 100,000 passengers daily, up from the current 20,000. Kenya Railways also plans to expand the number of stations from 35 to 53, improving access to public transport across the Nairobi metropolitan region.
At the heart of the upgrade is the Nairobi-Ruiru-Thika corridor, one of the country's busiest commuter routes. Alongside the acquisition of electric trains, the project includes track rehabilitation, modern signalling and communication systems, automated fare collection, transit-oriented development facilities, improved station access roads and a broader digitisation programme for Kenya Railways services.
The investment comes as Kenya accelerates efforts to decarbonise its transport sector. Electric trains are expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel locomotives while helping curb air pollution and road congestion in the rapidly growing capital.
The project also aligns with Kenya's National Electric Mobility Policy, launched earlier this year, which seeks to promote cleaner and more sustainable transport solutions across the country.
For Nairobi residents, the benefits could extend beyond climate goals. Faster travel times, improved reliability and increased passenger capacity are expected to offer a viable alternative to the city's congested road network, where commuters often spend hours in traffic each day.
The electric train programme builds on years of planning between Kenya Railways and the World Bank. Feasibility studies and preparatory work began following discussions in 2024, with authorities identifying commuter rail modernisation as a critical component of Nairobi's long-term urban mobility strategy.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Maingi has also signalled broader ambitions for the country's rail sector, including the planned return of passenger train services between Nyahururu and Ol Kalou after a four-decade hiatus.
As cities across Africa search for solutions to mounting congestion, pollution and rapid urbanisation, Kenya's electric rail investment positions Nairobi among a growing number of African capitals embracing low-carbon mass transit infrastructure. If successfully implemented, the project could reshape how millions of people move across the metropolitan region while advancing the country's climate and sustainable development goals.
