Photos Emerge of New Commuter Train to Cut Nairobi Traffic

A Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train pictured in Mallorca
A Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train pictured in Mallorca
File

Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) on Sunday, October 4, shared an artist's impression of the refurbished Nairobi Commuter Trains.

The corporation revealed that the trains are set to become operational soon after arriving into the country back in August from Mallorca, Spain.

Kenya Railways took to social media to ask Kenyans about their readiness for the new trains that are set to greatly ease traffic in the capital.

An image of Kenya Railways
An artist's impression of the refurbished Nairobi Commuter Trains.
Twitter

"Kenya! We have something new, fast and efficient. Mko ready?," read a Tweet from the official handle of Kenya Railways Corporation.

The trains will be emblazoned with Kenya Railways colours with improvements made on the trains after being purchased from the Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM).

An exact date for the commencement of services is yet to be revealed by KRC, but operations are expected to kick-off before the end of the year.

The post, however, received some backlash from a section of Kenyans with some claiming that they do not trust artist's impressions after failing to deliver the exact Standard Guage Trains (SGR) promised in 2013.

A Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train pictured in Mallorca
A Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train pictured in Mallorca
File

Others raised concerns about them being refurbished, although KRC had projected that the trains will be fully functional for the next 20 to 25 years.

"Old deregistered diesel engines from Spain. But slightly quieter than their old colonial posho mill diesel engines that always breaks down going uphill Pipeline/Donholm," said Dan Lugosi.

Kenya Railways acquired 11 refurbished DMUs, five coaches and spare parts from Spain at a negotiated price of Ksh1.15 billion.

The trains will see an increase in passenger capacity from five million passengers to 15 million passengers initially, then to 60 million passengers per year in Phase 1.

Nine new stations are being constructed at Kenyatta University, Umoja, Kibera, Thogoto, Mbagathi Way, Thika, Kitengela, Dagorreti and Strathmore University.

A Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train pictures in Mallorca, Spain
A Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train pictured in Mallorca, Spain
Twitter