The Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project is intended to modernise commuter rail along the Nairobi–Thika corridor. The planned network would connect Nairobi Central with communities around Makadara, Dandora, Mwiki, Githurai, Kahawa West, Ruiru and ultimately Thika, creating a higher-capacity public transport alternative to Thika Road.
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Project overview
| Project detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project | Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project |
| Short name | KUMIP |
| Developing corridor | Nairobi Central–Thika |
| Initial investment focus | Nairobi Central–Ruiru |
| Initial section length | Approximately 32 kilometres |
| Implementing agency | Kenya Railways |
| Development partner | World Bank |
| Status | Project preparation and development |
| Existing service | Nairobi Central–Ruiru commuter trains |
Important distinction: Ruiru or Thika?
World Bank project documents describe the broader objective as improving commuter rail between Nairobi Central and Thika. However, the initial major railway investment is focused on the approximately 32-kilometre Nairobi Central–Ruiru section.
The Ruiru–Thika section should therefore be presented as part of the broader developing corridor—not as infrastructure already covered by the initial construction package. World Bank project document
Developing corridor
The wider corridor can be presented as:
Nairobi Central → Makadara → Mutindwa → Dandora → Mwiki → Githurai → Kahawa West → Kenyatta University → Ruiru → Juja → Thika
The exact stations included in the completed modernised network will depend on final designs and implementation phases.
| Corridor section | Status |
|---|---|
| Nairobi Central–Ruiru | Existing commuter service and initial KUMIP investment focus |
| Ruiru–Juja–Thika | Wider corridor targeted for future development and integration |
| Individual station works | Subject to final design and procurement |
| New service timetable | Not yet announced |
| Future fares | Not yet announced |
Existing Nairobi–Ruiru service
Nairobi Central–Ruiru is already an operational commuter railway route. Its stations include Mutindwa, Dandora, Mwiki, Githurai, Kahawa West, Kenyatta University and Ruiru.
Nairobi Central ↔ Ruiru Commuter Train
Existing commuter service connecting Nairobi CBD with northeastern Nairobi and Ruiru.
KUMIP is intended to upgrade this railway corridor rather than create every section from the beginning.
What KUMIP is expected to include
World Bank and Kenya Railways project documents identify several planned interventions:
- Rehabilitation and upgrading of the Nairobi Central–Ruiru tracks
- Modern train-control systems
- New multiple-unit passenger trains
- A train-maintenance workshop at Makadara
- Improvement of approximately seven selected stations
- Bus interchange facilities at railway stations
- Feeder buses connecting neighbourhoods with stations
- Automated and interoperable fare collection
- Better passenger information and customer-support systems
- Institutional strengthening for Kenya Railways
- Studies and detailed designs for the broader commuter rail network
Feeder buses and matatu integration
A particularly important element is the proposed integration of railway stations with feeder transport. The project is expected to improve bus connections to stations between Nairobi Central and Ruiru.
For Metros, this means every station should eventually show:
- Matatu routes serving the station
- Feeder-bus connections
- Walking distance to nearby stages
- Boda boda and taxi pickup areas
- Accessible entrances
- Park-and-ride availability
- First and last train connections
Makadara connections
Makadara connects the railway with Jogoo Road and nearby Eastlands matatu services.
Route 58 — Buruburu
Via Jogoo Road and Makadara towards Buruburu.
Dandora connections
Route 36 — Dandora
Connects Dandora with Kariobangi South, Rabai Road, Buruburu and Jogoo Road.
Mwiki connections
Route 17B — Mwiki
Serves Kasarani, Seasons, Hunters and Sunton before continuing to Mwiki.
Passengers can also consult the Kasarani–Mwiki Road transport guide.
Githurai and Kahawa West connections
Route 44 — Githurai 44 / Kahawa West
Provides connections through Thika Road, Zimmerman and Kamiti Road towards Kahawa West.
Route 45 — Githurai / Kenyatta University
Connects Nairobi with Githurai and Kenyatta University through Thika Road.
Ruiru connections
Route 145 — Ruiru
Connects Nairobi with Ruiru through Githurai and Kenyatta University.
Route 146 — Ruiru
Serves Ruiru through Kahawa Wendani, Kahawa Sukari and Kenyatta University.
Juja and Thika connections
Route 237 — Thika
Provides road transport through Githurai, Kenyatta University, Ruiru and Juja towards Thika.
This route can serve as an alternative or onward connection while the complete modernised railway corridor is being developed.
Expected commuter benefits
If implemented as planned, the project could:
- Increase passenger capacity
- Improve train reliability
- Reduce journey times
- Improve safety and station accessibility
- Reduce pressure on Thika Road
- Introduce modern passenger trains
- Improve transfers between trains and matatus
- Support unified fare collection
- Encourage development around stations
These are expected project outcomes and should not be presented as services already available.
Project status notice
Developing project: KUMIP is undergoing project preparation, design, consultation and implementation processes. The complete modernised Nairobi–Thika commuter railway is not yet operational.
Kenya Railways held early-market engagement activities for KUMIP in June 2026, showing that procurement and implementation planning were continuing. Kenya Railways
Schedules and fares
No new KUMIP timetable or fare structure has been announced for the completed modernised corridor.
Existing Nairobi–Ruiru services continue to use schedules and fares issued separately by Kenya Railways.
Do not publish projected KUMIP departure times or fares until they are officially announced.
Master-page entry
Nairobi Central–Thika Commuter Railway Modernisation — Developing Corridor
KUMIP is intended to modernise the railway corridor through Makadara, Dandora, Mwiki, Githurai, Kahawa West and Ruiru, with the broader network extending towards Juja and Thika. The initial major investment focuses on Nairobi Central–Ruiru. Passengers can find parallel road connections in the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers guide.
