Big win for Nairobians as President Uhuru unveils commuter rail system
The rail network will serve 10 densely populated neighbourhoods of Nairobi Metropolitan region and is expected to significantly reduce the city’s traffic problem
By Kimathi Mutegi and PSCU
Nairobi, on Tuesday November 10, took a significant step towards eradicating its infamous traffic jams when President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled a commuter rail service across 10 stations in the city Metropolitan region.
The rail system to be served by modern trains, referred to as Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) is part of the government’s integrated transport network projects in Nairobi to curb huge losses Kenyans suffer from traffic congestion.
President Uhuru said the government’s investment in an integrated mass transit is informed by the various transport challenges in the urban areas.
“The estimated value of time lost to travel in Nairobi, as an example, is between Sh80 million and Sh400 million per month, with congestion costing the country about Sh50 million daily. This loss in productivity has impacted adversely the growth of our economy,” he said when he commissioned the new-look Nairobi Central Railway Station.
The President is issued a ticket for the Diesel Multiple Unit to Embakasi Railway Station from the revamped Nairobi Central Railway Station.
The railway hub as well as the 10 other stations were refurbished under the modernisation programme of the Nairobi Commuter Rail Service.
President Uhuru said the stations on the new scheduled commuter rail service will provide enhanced transport in the high-density residential areas of Ruiru, Mwiki, Embakasi Village, Athi River, Kikuyu, Kahawa, Githurai, Dandora, Pipeline, and Donholm.
“These stations will also soon be served by 11 DMUs, of which five are being commissioned today,” the President added.
The new commuter rail network, which will have day-long hourly train service to and from the 10 stations, will also be integrated with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that will connect the Nairobi Central Station with existing matatu and commuter bus termini.
The President said the government has so far spent Sh6.6 billion in upgrading the commuter rail stations within the Nairobi Metropolitan region, including the access roads as well as the integrated and modern ticketing system that accommodates offsite booking.
“But we are comforted by the fact that these investments have already yielded great fruits. During the construction of these 10 commuter rail stations, we had an average of 50 workers per day engaged, culminating in over 180,000 direct jobs created and over 700,000 indirect jobs,” the President said.
A JKIA-bound Nairobi Commuter Rail Bus at the Embakasi Railway Station
The Head of State added that the maintenance and upkeep of the stations was and will continue to be undertaken by the Kazi Mtaani youth.
He said that in the next one year the scheduled commuter rail service will be extended to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, allowing air travellers an alternative mode of transport to and from the airport.
“While this extension is being constructed, high capacity buses will be stationed at Embakasi Village Station to provide direct transport services to and from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,” he said.
The President said by investing in an integrated transport network in cities and growing urban areas, the Government is giving citizens affordable and accessible pathways to conduct their business and social activities.
“We are also creating additional pathways for employment and economic development. In addition, since the completion of these projects, we have seen the revival of townships that had endured decades of reduced economic activity,” President Uhuru said.
The modern commuter transport system will be used on services from Nairobi Central to Syokimau, Embakasi Village, Kitengela, Ruiru, Thika and Kikuyu.
He noted that the current over-reliance on road transport has had negative impact on the environment, saying improving urban transport and mobility in Kenyan cities has economic as well as environmental conservation benefits.
“Therefore, by diversifying our urban transport solutions and giving commuters the option of faster and cheaper travel by rail, we will reduce the number of motor vehicle trips; and thereby save Kenyans not only time and money but also enhance air quality in our Kenyan urban areas,” he said.
Transport CS James Macharia said the launch of the DMUs is a major milestone in urban transport in the country and thanked President Uhuru for his leadership that has facilitated the transformation of the transport sector.
After flagging off the DMU train leaving the Nairobi Central Railway Station for Syokimau, the President boarded a DMU to Embakasi Railway Station for a tour of the station.
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