Construction of the Ksh 30 billion Nairobi Central Train Station is finally underway.
The director general of Kenya Railways, Philip Mainga, says the overall scope of phase one will involve the construction of a pedestrian footbridge across the Nairobi Railway Yard.
Mr. Mainga stated on Monday that the contractor is already on site and that changes will be visible soon.
“Owing to its strategic location, The Nairobi Central Station area will be developed into an iconic nerve centre for the Nairobi Multimodal Transport System,” he notes.
The project involves constructing a 425-acre urban development between Haile Sellasie Avenue, and Uhuru Highway from Haile Selassie Avenue, Uhuru Highway, Bunyala Road, Commercial Street, and Landhies Road.
The construction project is being sponsored by the Kenyan and UK governments.
During the project’s groundbreaking ceremony in December 2022, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the Nairobi Railway City will serve as a template for other projects the UK seeks to implement in Africa.
“It will regenerate central Nairobi and keep Kenya’s ambitions on climate on track. It will be built with the latest technology in green building technology to give the people of Nairobi an accessible and efficient railway system,” Mr Cleverly said.
The multi-billion-dollar project is part of the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Plan and aims to expand the city’s Central Business District as it is currently set up.
The second phase will involve the construction of an economic zone comprising hi-tech industries and small and medium enterprises.
The third and final phase, the East core, will be constructing a residential complex featuring a school, park, and affordable housing units.