The Riruta–Ngong Commuter Railway is a developing 12.5-kilometre metre-gauge line planned to connect Riruta with Karen, Bulbul and Ngong. Construction was commissioned in December 2023, but the project remains under development and is not yet available as an operational passenger service. Ministry of Roads and Transport
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Project overview
| Project detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project | Riruta–Ngong Commuter Railway |
| Status | Under development |
| Railway system | Metre-gauge railway |
| Approximate length | 12.5 kilometres |
| Planned stations | Riruta, Karen, Bulbul and Ngong |
| Connection | Existing railway network at Riruta |
| Planned capacity | Up to 10,000 passengers daily |
| Future extension | Kiserian and Ongata Rongai |
Planned route
The proposed station sequence is:
Riruta → Karen → Bulbul → Ngong
| Planned station | Areas and connections |
|---|---|
| Riruta | Riruta, Kawangware, Satellite, Dagoretti and Naivasha Road |
| Karen | Karen, Ngong Road, Dagoretti Road and Lang’ata Road connections |
| Bulbul | Bulbul and surrounding Kajiado North communities |
| Ngong | Ngong town, Kiserian, Karen and Ngong Road |
The line is planned to branch from the existing metre-gauge railway near Riruta and continue through the southern metropolitan corridor.
Is the railway operational?
No. The Riruta–Ngong line should be listed as a developing railway project, not as an available commuter train.
Metros should not publish:
- A train timetable
- Passenger fares
- Ticket-purchasing instructions
- Daily service frequency
- Claims that passengers can currently board trains
These details should only be added after Kenya Railways officially announces passenger operations.
Project purpose
The railway is intended to provide an alternative to heavily congested road travel between Ngong, Karen, Riruta and Nairobi.
The Ministry of Roads and Transport says the completed line is designed to carry up to 10,000 passengers daily and reduce transport costs for communities along the corridor.
Construction and legal status
The project has faced legal challenges involving its financing, approvals and implementation. Court proceedings have affected construction at different stages, although orders that had halted work were subsequently lifted in March 2026. Further legal arguments continued during 2026. Kenyans.co.ke, Business Daily
Because the position can change, the article should display:
Project-status notice: The Riruta–Ngong railway is under development and is not yet open for passenger services. Construction timelines and project details may change.
Planned Riruta Station connection
Riruta would connect the new branch with the existing western metre-gauge railway corridor. It could allow future passengers to transfer towards Nairobi Central and other western-line stations.
Road connections around Riruta include Naivasha Road, Kawangware, Satellite, Waithaka and Dagoretti.
Naivasha Road Matatu Routes
Serves Kawangware, Riruta, Waithaka and Dagoretti, with connections towards Kikuyu.
Route 2 — Dagoretti / Kawangware
Connects Nairobi with Kawangware and Dagoretti through Ngong Road and Naivasha Road.
Planned Karen Station connection
A Karen station would provide railway access to residential areas, schools, businesses and destinations around Karen Road, Dagoretti Road and Ngong Road.
Karen–Ngong Road Public Transport Guide
Explains public transport connections between Karen, Ngong Road and Dagoretti Corner.
Route 24 — Karen / Hardy
Connects Nairobi with Karen and Hardy through Lang’ata Road, Bomas and Galleria.
Planned Bulbul Station connection
Bulbul Station would serve communities between Karen and Ngong. Local matatus, boda bodas and other first- and last-mile services would be needed to connect surrounding estates with the railway station.
The precise station location and interchange arrangements should be added after publication of confirmed station plans.
Planned Ngong Station connection
Ngong would become the southern terminus of the first phase. Passengers could connect with matatus operating along Ngong Road and towards Kiserian.
Route 111 — Ngong
Connects Nairobi with Ngong through Ngong Road and Dagoretti Corner.
Route 126 — Kiserian
Provides connections towards Kiserian through Ongata Rongai and Magadi Road.
Proposed future extensions
The Ministry has indicated that later development could extend the railway:
Ngong → Kiserian → Ongata Rongai → Nairobi
These later sections remain proposed and should not be presented as approved operational routes.
Expected commuter impact
If completed and integrated with the existing Nairobi railway network, the line could:
- Reduce pressure on Ngong Road
- Provide an alternative to matatus for Ngong commuters
- Improve Riruta–Karen–Ngong connectivity
- Support multimodal journeys using trains and matatus
- Shorten some peak-hour journeys
- Encourage development around the planned stations
These are anticipated benefits rather than current passenger services.
Master-page entry
Riruta–Ngong Commuter Railway — Developing Route
Planned metre-gauge railway from Riruta through Karen and Bulbul to Ngong. The line remains under development and is not yet open to passengers. Future travellers will be able to find road connections through the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers guide.
