Kenya is set to secure a crucial financial deal with the United Kingdom, which will open the door for the construction of the mega 438-acre Nairobi Railway City.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who was in London for the Sudan Conference, led a high-powered Kenyan delegation in negotiations between the Ministry of National Treasury and UK Export Finance (UKEF).
The deal, according to a statement from the Prime Cabinet Secretary's office, brings Kenya one step closer to achieving the ambitious infrastructure project, as the Railway City has been envisioned as a modern transit-orientated urban hub that will redefine Nairobi's central transport and commercial landscape.
Groundwork is now set to begin following the deal, as billions in investment have been unlocked to expand rail and bus connectivity and drive economic growth in the country's capital.
Mudavadi, besides the Railway City agreement, is also overseeing Kenya's final steps in meeting obligations for three crucial urban projects.
"In the busy week, Dr Mudavadi will oversee the completion of Kenya's obligations to enable the implementation of Nairobi Bus Rapid Transit Line 3, Nairobi Commuter Rail Line 2, and Nairobi Commuter Rail Line 5," a statement from the Prime CS's office read.
According to Mudavadi, the projects are part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise Nairobi’s transport network, which has long shown an urgent need for upgrade and expansion.
The completion of these obligations will be officially announced on April 28 in the upcoming Government of Kenya/G7+ Transport Heads of Mission.
The meeting, to be co-chaired by the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the British High Commission, is expected to mark a major milestone in Kenya’s ongoing infrastructure revolution.
Mudavadi's trip to the Sudan conference comes at a time when Kenya is working to restore its standing with Sudan, especially after reports emerged that it was planning to host the neighbouring country’s militia, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and its affiliates in Nairobi for a second conference.
Sudan, in a press statement on Sunday through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned Kenya over the plans to host the RSF, claiming that it had watched over a 'campaign of genocide' against specific ethnic groups in Darfur.
According to Sudan, the earlier decision, despite receiving condemnation from the United Nations Security Council and the African Union, Kenya appears to have turned a blind eye to all these.
