PS Daghar: CBD-Talanta Stadium rail will transport 1,500 people every 10 minutes
Transport PS Mohamed Daghar (left) with Kenya Railways Corporation MD and Chief Executive Officer Philip Mainga (right) during a tour of the Talanta Commuter Station construction site along the Nairobi–Kibera–Talanta Metre Gauge Railway corridor on November 10, 2026.
Preparations for the grand opening of the Raila Odinga International Stadium (also known as the Talanta Stadium) are in full swing, with the city's transport links being prioritised.
On Tuesday, the Principal Secretary for Transport Mohamed Daghar, and the Managing Director of the Kenya Railways Corporation Philip Mainga, inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the Nairobi-Kibera-Talanta metre-gauge railway line.
During the inspection, Mr Daghar said that the contractor had assured the government that the line would be ready for use by the end of December.
He added that the line would be vital for accessing the Talanta Stadium and that it is expected to carry at least 1,500 passengers per trip.
“We anticipate to use this line to come and watch the game on January 5. We are going to be evacuating 1,500 passengers in every 10 minutes. After every 10 minutes, there will be a train either bringing you to come and watch the game or going to other places,” Mr Daghar said.
Transport PS Mohamed Daghar (left) and Kenya Railways Corporation MD and Chief Executive Officer Philip J Mainga (right) at Kenya Railways Station during a tour of the Talanta Commuter Station construction site along the Nairobi–Kibera–Talanta Metre Gauge Railway corridor on November 10, 2026.
The line will be completed ahead of the inaugural match, which will see a high-profile friendly match between German giants FC Bayern Munich and Dutch side AFC Ajax.
According to the government, plans are underway to reduce the journey time between the two stations from 15 minutes to the shortest possible time using the eight coaches that will be used.
Also, plans are in place to make the corridor safe by removing all structures along the line, hence ensuring the safety of passengers and locals.
According to Mr Mainga, the new stations at Talanta and Nyayo Stadium are intended to ensure that passengers can travel to and from home and work without wasting time in traffic.
Modern trucks
Also, the MD said that the corporation is replacing the old trucks with modern concrete as a solution to vandalism, which has been one of the major challenges.
“The issue of having interference or having our line being vandalized by scrap metal dealers will come to an end. You cannot lift that sleeper anymore, that sleeper is about 100kgs,” Mr Mainga said.
At the same time, the corporation boss said that Nairobi-Thika line is being modernized, with the aim being changed into an electric line.
“We are going to electrify that line with modern equipment and the procurement process will be almost complete by next month so that come 2027, the implementation of that project takes on. We have negotiated with Kenya Power and others so that we deal with this emotion issues.”
Another line also connecting the Talanta stadium to Bomas of Kenya are being considered.
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