The Government of the Republic of Kenya has applied for a financing package of $670 million from the World Bank to fund the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP). The funding will support the procurement of goods, works, and services essential to the project, which aims to enhance urban mobility within Nairobi’s metropolitan area. This initiative will be jointly financed by the Government of Kenya, with a focus on modernising commuter rail infrastructure, enhancing digital capacity for Kenya Railways, and implementing sustainable transit solutions.
The project will centre on upgrading the Nairobi Commuter Rail (NCR) network, beginning with a comprehensive feasibility study and preliminary engineering. These preparatory stages will assess the technical, social, environmental, financial, and economic feasibility of network upgrades, including Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) around key stations along the Thika line. Engineering requirements will also be set to ensure that contracts for NCR network improvements align with FIDIC standards, enabling a streamlined approach to development.
In addition to rail network improvements, KUMIP prioritises digital transformation for Kenya Railways Corporation (KR). A newly developed Enterprise Architecture (EA) and digital transformation roadmap will serve as a foundation for KR’s digital advancement, aligning its operations with international standards. This digital framework will be designed to improve data integration, scalability, and operational efficiency, laying the groundwork for future digital growth.
To address environmental and social aspects, KUMIP will prepare a series of Environmental and Social Safeguards Instruments, including a Labour Management Procedure, Social Assessment, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). These safeguards will ensure compliance with World Bank and Kenyan national regulatory standards, minimising potential environmental and social impacts throughout the project lifecycle.
The project also includes rehabilitating and upgrading the track between Nairobi Central Station (NCS) and Thika, improving the line’s capacity and reliability. Station access along this route will be enhanced, with new non-motorised transport (NMT) facilities and feeder bus services integrated into Nairobi’s broader public transit system. To further modernise commuter services, the project will introduce multiple-engine trainsets and upgrade communication, signalling, and fare collection systems. Additional plans for green mobility solutions and improved traffic management will support Nairobi’s sustainability goals.
The KUMIP initiative includes Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) around commuter rail lines, aimed at improving station accessibility and implementing sustainable land use practices in project areas. These efforts are backed by institutional strengthening to enhance TOD planning and implementation capacity. A newly established urban transport policy will also support skills development in transport research, while technical assistance will aid in advancing fare collection systems and regulatory frameworks.
As the project progresses, specific procurement notices for contracts will be announced as they become available through open international competitive bidding.
