The government has procured 11 new trains to ply the Nairobi-Thika route, following the completion of the Ruiru, Githurai, Mwiki Railway sub-stations.
The Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary (PS), Charles Hinga said the rail transport would complement the gains made by the Thika Superhighway and ease traffic snarl-ups during peak hours along the busy road.
Once it starts operations, it would ease frustrations that millions of residents from that area go through in the jams, before arriving to their destinations.
“Millions of residents from the highly populated Githurai 45, Kahawa, Mwiki and Dandora will now have an alternative route to and from town. It would be cheaper and reliable compared to the matatu transport,” said Hinga.
He was speaking on Friday during the inspection of the Ruiru substation.
The trains would make stop-overs after every 30 minutes, to pick and drop passengers.
It is expected to improve business in Kiambu County by easing transportation of goods.
“We expect to construct a Sh.360 million link road that will connect Githurai substation and the Thika superhighway, passing through Githurai modern market to link customers to the railway line,” said Hinga.
The PS said his ministry was constructing several markets along the route, majorly the Sh.500million Githurai market and Juja, Ruiru and Kikuyu.
The project has been funded by the World Bank and is being implemented by the Nairobi Metropolitan services improvement project (NAMSIP).
The Ruiru MP, Simon King’ara who accompanied the PS said it would offer an alternative means of transport for the over 600,000 residents of the constituency who commute to Nairobi each day.
“Residents in the constituency have been calling for an alternative means of transport other than the superhighway,” he said.
By Muoki Charles
