Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, has held high-level strategic talks with development representatives from the G7+ nations in Nairobi, securing a landmark Ksh 219 billion commitment for the first phase of the Nairobi Metropolitan Integrated Transport System under the ambitious Nairobi Railway City Project.

The closed-door session, held at a key government venue in the capital, brought together diplomats, development finance institutions, and technical experts from G7+ partners, including the European Union, Japan, Germany, Canada, and other strategic allies.

Speaking after the meeting, Mudavadi emphasized the transformational potential of the Railway City initiative.
“This project is not just about transport it’s about unlocking economic potential, creating thousands of jobs, and reshaping the future of our capital city,” he said. “It reflects the bold vision we have for Nairobi and for Kenya at large, in line with our long-term development agenda.”

Key Project Highlights

The Nairobi Metropolitan Integrated Transport System (NMITS) aims to overhaul the city’s outdated transport infrastructure by integrating:

• A modern commuter rail system

• Upgraded road networks

• Non-motorized transport solutions such as bike lanes and pedestrian walkways

• Smart transit hubs for improved traffic flow and efficiency

The first phase, now fully funded through a mix of grants, concessional loans, and public-private partnerships, is scheduled to begin in Q4 of 2025 and is expected to generate over 30,000 jobs during the construction and initial operation phase.

Global Support and Urban Innovation

G7+ delegates reaffirmed their commitment to supporting sustainable urban development in Kenya through technological innovation, green infrastructure, and financing mechanisms that align with the country’s Vision 2030 and climate resilience goals.

Representatives from Germany and Japan, in particular, pledged technical support in railway engineering and urban design, while the EU expressed interest in expanding the project’s smart mobility components through digital transformation grants.

“Kenya is showing leadership in urban planning,” noted a senior EU official present at the talks. “The Railway City Project can become a model for green, inclusive cities across Africa.”

Conclusion

The Nairobi Railway City Project stands as a symbol of Kenya’s emerging urban development ambition, powered by strong diplomatic and development cooperation. Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and results-oriented execution in delivering the project on time and within scope.

More announcements are expected in the coming months as engineering tenders are awarded, and implementation teams are deployed.