The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) in collaboration with the Kenya Railways is set to launch 11 commuter trains in the capital.
The 11 refurbished Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) were procured from the Spanish city of Mallorca at a negotiated price of Sh1.15.
The agreement for the purchase of second-hand locomotives was signed in March by the Kenya Railways and officials from the Regional Ministry of Energy and Mobility in Mallorca.
Kenya Railways said the diesel units were manufactured by Spain’s Construcciones and Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) between 1994 and 2003 have a lifespan of between 23 and 25 years.
The trains are currently being tested following their arrival in the country after which they will be launched to ferry commuters within the city.
“Nairobi are you ready? Forget long hours in traffic. Diesel Mobile Unit (DMU) at the Nairobi Central Rail Station,” NMS wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
The acquisition of the trains is part of the government’s plan to decongest Nairobi by increasing the number of relying on rail transport from the current 300,000 to three million a month.
Nine railway stations are being put up at Kenyatta University, Umoja, Kibera, Thogoto, Mbagathi Way, Kitengela, Dagoretti, and Strathmore University.
