Infrastructure

Nairobi Commuter Rail Project Draws Top Global Firms

17 companies had tendered for the project by the October 12 deadline.

Updated on

October 30, 2012

SGR trains Kenya — The project involves the rehabilitation of 160km of the existing railway in the city. PHOTO | FILE

The Sh24 billion Nairobi commuter rail project has attracted leading players in global infrastructure projects, the Business Daily has reported.

The newspaper reported that 17 companies including Samsung, Hyundai, and leading rail companies from Europe and China had tendered for the project by the October 12 deadline.

Gad Cohen, a partner with eleQtra, the manager of InfraCo Africa, which is developing the Nairobi Commuter Project jointly with Kenya Railways was quoted as saying: “The level of response and interest and the quality of firms and consortia that responded to the pre-qualification phase is high.”

In July, Kenya Railways and InfraCo Africa advertised an international tender for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the railway line, construction of new stations, maintenance and fuel depots, and procurement of new rolling stock.

The Nairobi commuter rail project will involve the rehabilitation of about 160km of the existing rail system within the city, the construction of 5-7 km of new track to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), and the upgrade or construction of stations and other facilities along the network.

The project will provide a link to JKIA to enable smooth and rapid transit between the airport and the city centre – further cementing Nairobi as the regional business hub.