Kenya Railways reports earthworks and subgrade preparation under way at the secured Kisumu Terminus site on the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), with construction also progressing along approximately three kilometres of railway approaches on the Nairobi side. In Mombasa, the Changamwe East and Changamwe West commuter stations stand at 52% and 38% complete, with both scheduled for completion by the end of November 2026.
The Changamwe stations are intended to serve commuters in Changamwe, Jomvu, Mikindani, Bangla and surrounding areas and to connect passengers to the Mombasa SGR Terminus. Kenya Railways has also issued tenders relating to the World Bank-financed Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP), which is under preparation and covers modernisation of the Nairobi Central–Thika commuter corridor.
- Kenya Railways has reported works at Kisumu Terminus on the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway, land acquisition in Kericho County, two commuter stations under construction in Mombasa and tenders relating to the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP).
- Earthworks and subgrade preparation are under way at the secured Kisumu Terminus site, with construction progressing along about three kilometres of railway approaches on the Nairobi side.
- Land acquisition continues in Kericho County, including for the proposed Tiriitab Moita Intermediate Station at DK 266+900.
- Changamwe East Station is 52% complete and Changamwe West Station is 38% complete, with both scheduled for completion by the end of November 2026.
- The Changamwe stations are intended to connect commuters with passenger services at the Mombasa SGR Terminus.
- KUMIP, a World Bank-financed project under preparation, includes modernisation of the Nairobi Central–Thika commuter corridor, covering track, stations, rolling stock, electrification, signalling and telecommunications.
Kenya Railways is progressing several railway infrastructure developments, with construction advancing on the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), two new commuter stations taking shape in Mombasa, and procurement activity underway for the planned modernisation of Nairobi’s commuter rail network.
The developments cover three distinct areas of the country’s railway system. In western Kenya, construction activities and land acquisition are progressing along the SGR extension towards Malaba. In Mombasa, new stations are being developed to improve commuter access and connections to SGR passenger services. Meanwhile, the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP) is preparing investments in railway infrastructure, rolling stock, electrification, signalling and multimodal transport integration.
Kisumu Terminus Site Secured as SGR Construction Advances
Construction activity on the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba SGR has progressed in Kisumu County following the securing of the proposed Kisumu Terminus site.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip J. Mainga noted that the Kisumu Terminus site is now fully secured, enabling the contractor to advance construction activities.
Current activities include earthworks and subgrade preparation ahead of setting out the proposed terminus. Construction is also progressing along approximately three kilometres of the railway approaches on the Nairobi side, extending towards Malaba.
In parallel, Kenya Railways is coordinating with utility service providers on the relocation of existing infrastructure, including water supply and sewerage networks. These activities form part of the preparations required to accommodate the new railway infrastructure.
The National Land Commission (NLC) continues to facilitate land access and acquisition for the wider project.
Work is advancing at Kisumu Terminus and along the adjoining approaches, but Kenya Railways has not reported construction progress along the entire Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba alignment.
Land Acquisition Continues in Kericho County
Further along the proposed SGR route, Kenya Railways and the NLC have continued land acquisition activities in Kericho County, including work associated with the proposed Tiriitab Moita Intermediate Station at DK 266+900.
A joint delegation led by Mainga and the NLC Director of Valuation inspected preparatory works at the station site and engaged with project-affected persons and National Government Administration Officers.
Discussions focused on the land acquisition process, including inspection, valuation and compensation.
Mainga called for the NLC to expedite inspection and valuation to provide affected property owners and other project-affected persons with greater clarity on compensation arrangements.
Local administration representatives, including the Senior Chief and Chief, confirmed their support for concluding the process and facilitating the handover of the required land to the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor.
This work represents a different implementation stage from the construction activities reported at Kisumu Terminus. At Tiriitab Moita, the immediate requirement remains the completion of land acquisition procedures and the handover of the required land to enable construction.
The two updates illustrate how construction and land acquisition activities are proceeding concurrently at different locations along the SGR extension.
Changamwe Commuter Stations Target November Completion
In Mombasa, construction of the Changamwe East and Changamwe West commuter railway stations is advancing, with both facilities scheduled for completion by the end of November 2026.
Following an inspection by Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip J. Mainga, the corporation reported that Changamwe East Station had reached 52% completion, while Changamwe West Station was 38% complete.
The stations are intended to improve commuter rail access for residents of Changamwe, Jomvu, Mikindani, Bangla and surrounding areas.
Changamwe East will primarily serve Bangla, Mikindani and neighbouring communities. Changamwe West, located near Kona Reli, will serve Jomvu and its surrounding areas.
Beyond providing local commuter access, the stations are intended to connect passengers to the Mombasa SGR Terminus, allowing interchange with standard-gauge passenger services.
A park-and-ride facility is also planned, enabling passengers to leave their vehicles and continue their journeys by rail.
The immediate milestone is completion of station construction by the end of November, and Kenya Railways has not given an operational opening date.
Nairobi Commuter Rail Modernisation Moves Through Procurement Preparation
Alongside these construction developments, Kenya Railways has issued a number of tenders relating to KUMIP, a World Bank-financed project under preparation.
The Government of Kenya has applied for World Bank financing and intends to allocate part of the proceeds to consulting services associated with the project.
KUMIP is intended to develop an integrated, financially sustainable and low-carbon public transport network within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.
A central component is the modernisation of the existing Nairobi Commuter Rail network, particularly the Nairobi Central–Thika corridor.
The existing metre-gauge commuter system comprises four railway lines radiating from Nairobi Central Station. According to the KUMIP project description, the network is constrained by low service frequencies, ageing diesel rolling stock, deteriorated track and civil infrastructure, inadequate station facilities and limited integration with other public transport modes.
The proposed Nairobi Central–Thika modernisation includes comprehensive renewal of railway infrastructure and systems.
The planned scope encompasses track and civil infrastructure renewal, including bridges, drainage systems and level crossings. Station upgrades are intended to incorporate universal accessibility, gender-informed safety design and improved interchange with other public transport services.
Rolling stock procurement forms another component of the programme, alongside traction electrification and upgrades to signalling and telecommunications.
The project also provides for the operationalisation of the Makadara depot and deployment of an Integrated Automated Fare Collection System.
Beyond the physical railway works, KUMIP includes transit-oriented development planning and land-based financing initiatives at priority stations along the corridor. Institutional strengthening of Kenya Railways Corporation and other relevant transport authorities is also included.
Kenya Railways has not reported financing approval, construction contract awards or implementation of the full modernisation programme.
The KUMIP tenders are available to subscribers in Railways Africa’s Premium section.
Different Projects, Different Stages of Delivery
The latest Kenya Railways updates reflect different stages of railway development across the country.
At Kisumu, the secured terminus site has enabled earthworks and subgrade preparation to proceed, while utility relocation and adjoining railway approaches remain active work areas. In Kericho County, land acquisition, valuation and compensation procedures remain necessary before the affected land can be handed over for construction.
In Mombasa, station construction has reached measurable completion levels, with a November 2026 completion target. The new facilities are intended to bring commuter services closer to surrounding communities and provide connections to the Mombasa SGR Terminus.
In Nairobi, KUMIP remains in project preparation and procurement, with a proposed scope covering track renewal, stations, rolling stock, electrification, railway systems and public transport integration.
The next milestones differ accordingly: continued construction at Kisumu, completion of land acquisition and handover procedures in Kericho, station completion in Changamwe, and progression of financing and procurement activities for KUMIP.
