France invests in Kenya’s railway line project linking Nairobi CBD to JKIA

Kenya looks forward to constructing a modern railway line linking Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the central business district. The government of Kenya aims to complete the construction project in a span of two years.

The project will be undertaken by French companies in conjunction with the Kenyan state. A French consortium will be constructed at the Nairobi Airport Line. The French government is funding the project through an agreement signed by Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron during the latter’s first ever visit to Kenya. Both presidents declared a dealing of USD 2.65 billion during their tour to the Nairobi commuter train CBD station.

“A properly functioning urban commuter rail system and Bus Rapid Transit System in our cities, and particularly here in Nairobi, will transform the lives of millions of urban dwellers as well as make Nairobi a wonderful experience for tourists and visitors,” President Uhuru Kenyatta said. “Our target is to have 500,000 urban commuters moving freely daily within the next 12 months. This number will grow to over a million commuters daily within the next five years,” he added.

On the other hand, France is expected to deepen its partnership with Kenya in the sectors like education, health and security. The Kenyan government aims to refurbish the whole commuter rail system in an effort to see the current hectic traffic situation in the city alleviated. To accomplish this project, it has approved USD 100 million for revamping of four existing lines with the heaviest passenger-carrying potential.

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