Kenya Railways to Acquire Electric Trains Under Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project

by Timothy Cerullo on Tuesday, 2 June 2026 - 3:24 pm

Trains passing through a section of the Nairobi railway terminus. Photo

Railways Service

Kenya Railways has announced plans to introduce electric trains on the Nairobi commuter rail network under the Ksh65 billion Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP).

The ambitious plan is part os the government's plan to ease movement within Nairobi and its neighbouring counties by developing a modern rail network with the help of the World Bank.

Under the programme, one of the key components of the project will be the electrification of the Nairobi Commuter Railway Network, paving the way for the introduction of modern electric-powered passenger trains.

"The government of Kenya, in partnership with the World Bank, intends to finance the implementation of the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP)," Kenya Railways announced.

An artistic impression of a complete Nairobi Railway City project.

Photo

Kenya Railways Corporation

"The project objective is to improve urban mobility within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area and land use planning along the identified commuter corridors."

These trains will traverse the counties of Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado and Murang’a, easing transport to towns such as Dagoretti, Karen, Embakasi, Ruiru, Thika, Kikuyu, Ngong, Bulbul, Kitengela and Syokimau.

Kenya Railways said that besides acquiring electric trains, it also seeks to acquire Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMUs) to support the expansion and modernisation of commuter rail services.

The electric trains are expected to offer faster journeys, increased passenger capacity and reduced carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel-powered locomotives.

Beyond the trains themselves, the project will support the construction of station access roads and multi-modal transport facilities to make it easier for passengers to connect between rail and road transport.

The corporation also plans to establish maintenance workshops for the new train fleet and develop local capacity to produce railway spare parts and infrastructure components.

Another major infrastructure component is the construction of the Likoni Road railway bridge and associated road approaches to improve connectivity within Nairobi.

The project further includes the establishment of a concrete sleeper manufacturing plant and the acquisition of specialised maintenance rolling stock required to support railway operations.

According to Kenya Railways, the initiative is expected to promote transit-oriented development around railway stations while supporting sustainable urban growth along the commuter corridors.

To kick-start implementation, the corporation has invited private sector stakeholders and industry players to a consultative meeting on June 24, 2026, at the Railway Training Institute in South B, Nairobi.

An undated image of police officers at a Kenya Railways terminal.

File