Nairobi’s proposed CBD underground metro is an approved 10-kilometre circular railway planned to serve the Central Business District and adjoining high-demand destinations. It forms part of Phase I of the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System but is not yet operating.

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Project overview

Nairobi County approved Phase I of the metro programme in 2026. The underground circular line is planned alongside a separate Eastlands metro corridor. Railway Gazette International

Proposed route

The underground railway is designed as a circular route linking central Nairobi’s major employment, government, medical, educational and transport districts.

Reported station areas include:

• Upper Hill
• Kenyatta National Hospital
• Parliament
• City Hall
• Kenyatta Avenue
• Railways or Muthurwa
• University Way
• Museum Hill

These locations should be described as reported proposed station areas until final engineering designs and official station names are published.

Is the underground railway operating?

No. Nairobi does not currently have an operational underground metro.

Project-status notice: The Nairobi CBD underground line has been approved for phased development but is not yet under passenger operation. Station names, alignment, construction dates and opening timelines may change.

Metros should not publish timetables, fares or boarding instructions until the system opens.

How the circular line could work

Unlike a conventional railway running from one outer terminus to another, the underground line would form a central loop. Passengers could use it to move between major CBD destinations and transfer to commuter rail, BRT, buses, matatus and the planned Eastlands metro line.

A central loop could reduce the need for short road journeys through heavily congested city streets.

Main interchange areas

Final interchange arrangements remain subject to design.

Nairobi Central and Railway City integration

The Railways or Muthurwa section could become one of the system’s most important interchanges because it is close to:

• Nairobi Central Railway Station
• Nairobi Railway City
• Nairobi Commuter Rail services
• The Nairobi Terminus link train
• Muthurwa transport stages
• Jogoo Road and Eastlands services
• Haile Selassie Avenue
• Landhies Road

This could allow passengers to transfer between the underground metro, conventional trains and matatus.

Connection with the Eastlands metro line

Phase I also includes a separate corridor intended to connect the city centre with Eastlands. The underground loop would distribute Eastlands passengers across several central Nairobi destinations instead of concentrating all arrivals at one CBD terminus.

The Eastlands corridor should have its own article because it has a different alignment, station network and construction form.

Existing matatu connections

Until the metro opens, commuters will continue using matatus and buses operating through Nairobi CBD.

Useful corridor guides include:

Haile Selassie Avenue Matatu Routes
Provides connections towards Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road and Lang’ata Road services.

Landhies Road Matatu Routes
Connects Nairobi CBD with Jogoo Road and Eastlands routes.

Ngara Road Matatu Routes
Provides connections towards Pangani, Thika Road, Eastleigh and northern Nairobi.

View Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers

Expected commuter benefits

If completed, the CBD underground loop could:

• Reduce short vehicle journeys within central Nairobi
• Improve access to Upper Hill and KNH
• Connect government and commercial districts
• Integrate with Nairobi Central Railway Station
• Distribute Eastlands metro passengers across the CBD
• Improve transfers between rail, BRT and matatus
• Provide predictable travel beneath congested streets
• Support development around metro stations

These are projected benefits, not services presently available.

Development and financing

The metro is expected to be delivered in phases through a public-private partnership structure. Phase I includes extensive expenditure on civil works, stations, railway systems, rolling stock, depots and utility relocation.

Approval does not mean construction or passenger operation has begun. The project must still progress through detailed design, financing, procurement and construction.

What Metros should update

This permanent guide should be updated whenever authorities confirm:

• Final station names
• Exact alignment
• Interchange designs
• Construction contracts
• Groundbreaking date
• Construction progress
• Rolling stock
• Ticketing system
• Opening phases
• Passenger fares and schedules

Current travel alternatives

Master-page entry

Nairobi CBD Circular Underground Metro — Approved Project
Approved 10-kilometre underground loop planned to serve Nairobi CBD, Upper Hill, KNH, Parliament, City Hall, Railways, University Way and Museum Hill. The metro is not yet operating. Current road connections are available through the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers guide.