UK Company to Design Sh29 Billion Nairobi Railway City

Kenya and the United Kingdom have inked a new deal that will see the Nairobi Central Railway Station undergo a major facelift as part of a multi-billion-shilling railway city.

The UK reiterated its commitment to support Kenya on infrastructure and investment at the Kenya-UK Infrastructure Partnership forum held in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott announced that UK engineering company Atkins Global was appointed to design the new railway hub in Nairobi. It will partner with Nairobi-based consulting engineering company Howard Humphreys to design Nairobi’s new Central Train Station.

The modernized station will be the heart of the larger Nairobi Railway City, a project requested by President Kenyatta during his meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London two years ago. The ambitious project will cost Sh29 billion and is expected to take up to 20 years to implement, with the first phase scheduled to be complete by 2030.

“UK firm Atkins Global has been appointed to design Nairobi’s new Central Train Station and associated public realm, which will provide the centerpiece of Nairobi Railway City. It is a flagship project to regenerate Nairobi’s Central Business District initiated by President Kenyatta, who personally requested UK support when he met Prime Minister Boris Johnson in January 2020,” the UK High Commission said.

The new eight-platform Nairobi Central Railway Station will host modern shades and a glass-built waiting bay. It will also have a marketplace, local heritage, covered sitting area, and a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) section. 

"Matatus currently operating around Kenya Railways Central Station will be removed by end of this month. This will facilitate works on Nairobi Railway City," said Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director-General Mohammed Badi.