The new commuter train in Nairobi is expected to ease the traffic going into the city centre through Mombasa road.

With traffic congestion lightened and the pace of business improved, Kenya’s finance minister has pledged to allocate funds for the new 6-km rail link that will complete the development of a passenger train service.

“This first phase of our commuter rail upgrade project will enable our international guests and city residents commuting through Mombasa Road to access a faster, affordable and more comfortable commuter rail services,” said Finance minister, Njeru Githae, when he read the budget statement in parliament.

This new development is part of the upgrade of the Nairobi-Thika Highway, which stretches 50 km, connecting the capital to one of the country’s main industrial town.

Lost productivity, fuel consumption and pollution, which amount to US$600 000 (R4.99 million) a day cost to the economy, will be reduced with the addition of this new development.

The project will, for the first time in the country’s history, provide residents with an alternative means of access to the city.

Almost all Kenyans access the city through the road networks, which are also being expanded by a consortium of Chinese construction companies, through the financing of the Africa Development Bank, China Exim Bank and the Kenyan government.

The transport ministry has called on private sector consultants to bid to provision of detailed engineering services for the sections indentified.

The railway line, part of which will be rehabilitated while the other is to be laid afresh, is being supported by several modern stations, some of which are in various stages of development.