President William Ruto has formally endorsed the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System (NMMRTS) following a high-level presentation at State House by Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnskn and officials from the Ministry of Transport, marking a major step toward the rollout of the capital city’s first underground metro rail network.

The presentation comes just days after the Nairobi City County Executive Committee, chaired by Governor Sakaja, approved the ambitious mass transit project.

Speaking after the meeting, Governor Sakaja described the State House briefing as a breakthrough for Nairobi’s long-term transport transformation.

“It was a successful presentation and the President endorsed it fully. This is by far the most consequential development this city will see,” Sakaja said.

President Ruto said the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System offers the most viable solution to the chronic traffic congestion and gridlock that have long plagued the capital and its surrounding areas.

“Our plan for the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transport system is the perfect solution to the traffic congestion and gridlock that face our capital city and the environs,” the President said.

The 30-kilometre underground railway

He noted that the Nairobi City County Government has already granted the necessary approvals for the first phase of the project, which will involve the construction of a 30-kilometre underground railway line linking densely populated neighbourhoods in Eastlands with the Central Business District through 25 stations.

According to the President, the underground metro will form the backbone of a broader multi-modal transport network integrating Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and commuter rail services.

The system is expected to serve nearly five million residents who collectively make more than 12 million trips across Nairobi every day.

President Ruto said he received a progress briefing on the project from Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Governor Sakaja and senior officials from both the national and county governments, reaffirming the two levels of government’s commitment to fast-track its implementation.

The endorsement at State House is expected to accelerate planning and financing for what is projected to become the largest urban transport infrastructure project in Nairobi’s history, with leaders expressing confidence that it will fundamentally transform mobility, reduce travel times and support the city’s future growth.