The United Kingdom has pledged Sh12billion to develop the multibillion Nairobi Railway City project that is aimed at decongesting the Central Business District as well as create employment.
The project launched yesterday by President William Ruto and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will have over 10,000 affordable housing units, a non motorised transport system, ecofriendly green spaces and a modern matatu terminus linked to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network.
President Ruto noted that the project is designed to position Nairobi as a global commercial hub.
“We are committed to ensuring Nairobi realises its full potential as an economic hub. This is the beginning of linking of our railway system to deliver economic prosperity for our people,” he said.
According to Cleverly, the project will serve as a template for other projects that 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,” he said.
A statement from the British High Commission in Nairobi said the high-tech green development designed by British architects will offer a sustainable face-lift to the country’s capital.
“The Kings Cross London-style development, backed by £80 million of UK Export Finance, will regenerate Nairobi’s bustling central business district as a green urban environment of the future,” read the statement.
According to the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), the city will regenerate the area around Nairobi Railway Station into a modern transit facility, provide a livable and sustainable urban space and provide an iconic development to position the Nairobi as a leading world city.
“The strategic location of the Nairobi Central Railway Station area positions it perfectly to be an iconic nerve centre for the Nairobi Multimodal Transport System with a world class new Central Railway Station incorporating mixed use commercial developments, hotels and intermodal facilities,” said KRC.
The project which will be developed by British architects, was conceived during retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure at an estimated cost of Sh28 billion.
It is located on 425 acres of land belonging to Kenya Railways.
