UAE Eyes Investment in Nairobi’s Ksh28 Billion Railway City Project

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates is in talks with Kenyan officials over potential investment in the Ksh28 billion Nairobi Railway City project.

The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) confirmed on Friday, 31 October, that it hosted representatives from the DECAEXEC Consortium to discuss possible areas of collaboration. The discussions focused on the consortium’s interest in the project’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) zone, a 69-acre area designated for international business tourism along Nairobi’s Uhuru Highway.

The MICE zone is one of six districts planned under the broader Railway City master plan, a key part of the UK–Kenya strategic partnership. The 425-acre development stretches between Haile Selassie Avenue, Uhuru Highway, Landhies Road and Bunyala Road. At its centre will be a new Central Railway Station, designed to anchor a modern commuter rail network and drive economic activity across the capital.

During the meeting, DECAEXEC presented a phased investment model focused on sustainability and long-term growth. While financial details are still under negotiation, the consortium’s interest highlights rising international confidence in Kenya’s infrastructure projects and their potential to spur urban development.

The Nairobi Railway City project aims to address the capital’s transport challenges and support its expanding population. Once complete, the system is expected to handle up to 30,000 passengers per peak hour, with a long-term capacity of 1.5 million daily commuters. It is aligned with both the Nairobi Commuter Rail Master Plan and the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Plan (NIUPLAN), which seek to improve mobility and reduce congestion.

Plans for the main terminal include a low-carbon, two-storey building combining ticketing, retail and dining facilities with direct access to train platforms. A public square will front the station, providing a civic space that blends modern design with public use. The Central Bus Station is set to be relocated north of the current railway site to improve traffic flow and connectivity to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, about 11 kilometres away.

The project is also expected to deliver major economic and social benefits, including the creation of more than 5,000 jobs during construction. It aims to promote sustainable growth through the development of business districts, meeting venues and residential areas designed with climate resilience and cultural identity in mind.

Following Cabinet approval in June, the Railway City project is scheduled for completion by 2027.