Kenya Railways has announced a Sh65 billion upgrade of the 57‑kilometre Nairobi‑Thika commuter rail corridor, funded by the World Bank, to modernise 15 stations and provide an alternative to the heavily congested Thika Superhighway.

The upgrade will rehabilitate existing tracks, install modern station infrastructure and improve passenger safety and accessibility, including footpaths, cycling lanes and street lighting within a one‑kilometre radius of each station.

Currently eight stations are operational – Nairobi Central, Makadara, Dandora, Mwiki, Githurai, Kahawa West, Ruiru and Thika – while four non‑operational stations (Kaloleni, Mutindwa, Kariobangi South and Kenyatta University) will be rehabilitated.

Three new stations will be built at KPCU, Maili Saba and Kalimoni, bringing the total to 15 stations along the line that runs from Nairobi Central through Kaloleni, Makadara, Mutindwa, Kariobangi South, Dandora, KPCU, Maili Saba, Mwiki, Githurai, Kahawa West, Kenyatta University, Ruiru and Kalimoni before terminating in Thika.

A maintenance hub is under construction at Makadara Railway Station to service locomotives, passenger coaches and freight wagons, supporting the upgraded corridor’s operational reliability.

The project aligns with Kenya Vision 2030, the Integrated National Transport Policy and the Climate Change Act 2016, aiming to reduce travel time, ease highway congestion and unlock economic opportunities across Nairobi and Kiambu counties.