Kenya Railways (KRC) and the World Bank are working together to modernise the East African country's rail network, with the electrification of suburban trains as the first step.
Kenya has embarked on the rehabilitation and modernisation of the rail network in all of its 47 counties, with priority given to Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos, Murang’a, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Uasin Gishu. The first project is to electrify the suburban trains, which until now have been powered by diesel engines.
The experimental phase, which ends in August 2024, targets the Thika-Nanyuki section. It will see the installation of battery-powered electric multiple units (Bemu). In practical terms, this means replacing diesel engines with rechargeable batteries on the tracks, as well as using batteries for traction on non-electrified lines.
The initiative is part of the Kenya Urban Transport Improvement Project (KUMIP) led by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) in partnership with the World Bank Group. “Our team will support efforts to improve the scalability and bankability of electric mobility solutions in order to meet the growing demand for passenger transport while reducing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of rail transport”, says the Bretton Woods institution.
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At least $400 million will be spent on “the section from Nairobi Central Station to Ruiru (32 km). The works are expected to have the greatest socio-economic and accessibility impacts, given the forecast demand, population and socio-economic character of the neighbourhoods along the line”, says the KRC. By modernising and electrifying the suburban trains, the Kenyan authorities hope to improve safety and comfort for the 13,000 passengers served daily on the 155-kilometre rail network in this East African country.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi
