President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Wednesday June 2, 2025, made a high-level visit to King’s Cross Railway Station in London, signaling renewed momentum behind the ambitious Ksh30 billion Nairobi Railway City (NRC) Project.
The visit came shortly after a bilateral meeting between President Ruto and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade ties and driving urban transformation in Kenya’s capital.
“The Nairobi Railway City Project got a big boost after Kenya and the United Kingdom renewed their strategic partnership, setting the momentum for more bilateral trade and investment,” a statement from Governor Sakaja’s office confirmed.
Governor Sakaja, who joined President Ruto on the tour of the UK’s busiest commuter hub, said the visit was meant to draw key lessons from the UK’s advanced railway infrastructure to implement in Nairobi.
“We’re here to learn from the best. The UK’s integrated transit systems provide the perfect benchmark for what we hope to achieve back home with the Railway City,” Sakaja noted.
The multi-billion-shilling project, which sits in the heart of Nairobi’s Central Business District, will feature a revamped Central Station, new platforms, green public spaces, retail zones, and a central square. It aims to serve over two million commuters daily and drive inclusive urban growth.
Strategically located around Haile Selassie Avenue, Uhuru Highway, Landhies Road, and Bunyala Road, the project will also breathe new life into surrounding areas such as Muthurwa, the farmers’ market, and Landis, which are set for comprehensive redevelopment.
First unveiled during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, the Nairobi Railway City is funded through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with backing from the UK government.
According to the Nairobi County government, the project is more than just a transport hub—it’s a blueprint for a greener, safer, and more inclusive city.
“This is a key part of Nairobi’s transition into a modern metropolis—designed to serve not only as a functional space for commuters but also as a livable, people-centred urban hub,” the governor’s office stated.
