enya Railways has stepped up efforts to complete the Nairobi to Kibera to Talanta station metre gauge railway (MGR) line in time for the football match between Bayern Munich and Ajax on 5 January 2027.
Transport Principal Secretary Mohammed Daghar, CBS, and Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip J. Mainga, EBS, inspected the ongoing upgrade of the Nairobi to Limuru commuter line, which will improve access to the new Raila Odinga International Stadium.
The works include replacing steel sleepers with concrete sleepers, which offer greater durability, better track stability and lower maintenance requirements.
Daghar said that once complete, the line will improve movement along the Nairobi Commuter Rail Service, which runs between Nairobi Central Station and Limuru.
"This line will transport 1,500 passengers per trip when operations commence. We will have more than one trip in order to ensure that soccer fans enjoy the sport they love. The line will be ready by December 15, 2026."
He added that the government plans to upgrade other sections of the Nairobi Commuter Rail Service network to improve mobility in the city.
"We are strengthening our commuter rail infrastructure to provide faster, safer and more reliable transport options for Nairobi residents," said Mainga. "The upgraded line will make access to the Raila Odinga International Stadium easier while providing an efficient alternative to road transport, particularly during major events."
The upgrade adds to a busy period for Kenya Railways. In recent weeks, the corporation has launched a dedicated vehicle freight service on the Standard Gauge Railway between Mombasa and Nairobi, while CMA CGM has started a weekly container train from the Port of Mombasa to the Nairobi Embakasi Inland Container Depot.
Stronger rail capacity in and around Nairobi will help ease road congestion for both passengers and cargo, as the city prepares to host major sporting events.
