Nairobi County has given the green light for the construction of the city's first underground railway line running beneath the Central Business District (CBD) to Eastlands, in a major step towards overhauling Nairobi's public transport network.
The decision was reached during the 90th County Executive Committee meeting chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja, where members approved the implementation framework for the first phase of the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System (NMRTS).
Under the initial phase, the project will deliver an underground rail corridor through the CBD and the Eastlands Line, linking some of the city's busiest commuter routes.
"By integrating an underground CBD core with high-capacity links to Eastlands, we will unlock Nairobi’s economic potential, lower the cost of transport and build a cleaner, greener and world-class city," Sakaja said on Wednesday, July 22.
The planned railway is expected to strengthen transport connectivity between Eastlands and the city centre, a route used by thousands of commuters every day.
County officials said the underground line is intended to ease persistent traffic congestion by offering a high-capacity public transport alternative to road travel.
The approved framework also provides for integrated transit terminals within the underground CBD section, connecting rail services with pedestrian pathways and non-motorised transport.
According to the county government, the project is expected to cut travel times, reduce transport expenses and stimulate economic activity across the capital.
The development is also projected to generate employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases while contributing to lower carbon emissions.
Sakaja said the approval signals a transition from the planning stage to implementation following technical collaboration between the county government and the Executive Office of the President.
He further revealed that preparations for the second phase of the NMRTS are already in progress, with proposed extensions to Westlands, Ngong Road and Lang'ata to serve commuters travelling from Ongata Rongai, Ngong and Nairobi's western suburbs.
The county government added that public participation forums and consultations with transport stakeholders will commence before the project's official groundbreaking.
