NEMA Warns of Noise, Vibration and Structural Risks in Nairobi Central Station Upgrade

by Ken Muthomi on Sunday, 14 December 2025 - 9:47 am

An aerial view of the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

Photo

Raymond Omollo

The Kenya Railways Corporation is undertaking major refurbishment works at Nairobi Central Station, which could cause infrastructural damage around the facility, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has warned.

The corporation aims to construct 2-level buildings, a station entrance, exits, platforms, canopies, access footbridges, associated facilities, and amenities.

This is part of the massive 438-acre Nairobi Railway City project, transforming the area into a multi-modal transport hub and mixed-use urban district designed to handle 30,000 passengers per hour with modern facilities, integrated BRT/SGR connections, and new commercial/residential spaces, aiming to expand Nairobi's CBD southwards and decongest the city.

"Pursuant to Section 59 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, CAP 387, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project," Mamo stated in a gazette notice dated December 11.

"The proponent, Kenya Railways Corporation, proposes to regenerate and redevelop the Nairobi Central Station (NCS) site into a new iconic city Centre development that will improve accessibility and capacity of the railway for all passengers," he added.

Passengers alighting a train at the Nairobi Central Railway Station, Nairobi, December 9, 2024.

Photo

KR

According to NEMA Director General Mamo, the authority has already proposed strategies to mitigate the anticipated impacts of the project.

Contractors involved in the project have been urged to conduct regular noise survey programmes and maintain construction equipment to prevent structural damage and cracks in nearby buildings caused by noise and vibrations.

They will also need to develop a long-term biodiversity landscape enhancement management plan and minimise the removal of existing vegetation to prevent biodiversity loss.

Furthermore, NEMA has advised contractors of the projects to practice and promote waste segregation to enhance the reuse of waste and to reduce soil and water contamination.

The project might also result in air pollution in surrounding areas, according to NEMA. Contractors of the project have been advised to ensure that they minimise their machines' idling times as well as water active sections to reduce dust emissions.

The project might also lead to increased usage of energy resources. Workers of the project have been advised to ensure that they practice energy conservation measures.

Contractors of the project have also been advised to ensure that they station traffic marshals at construction sites to assist in traffic movement at and within the construction site.

This comes a week after the National Land Commission (NLC) reserved two parcels of land in Nairobi, measuring a combined 42 acres (17 hectares), for Kenya Railways for infrastructural projects.

In a gazette notice dated December 5, NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi said that the corporation will utilise the land for residents' use.

According to Otachi, Kenya Railways management shall, within the next 180 days, be required to submit a land use and management plan to the commission.