Kenya Railways has announced plans to construct new railway infrastructure under the Nairobi Commuter Rail Service to support Kenya’s hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027), which the country will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the State corporation said the developments are part of wider government preparations aimed at ensuring the smooth movement of fans, teams and officials during the continental football tournament.
Kenya will host AFCON matches at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and the proposed Talanta Sports City Stadium, while Nyayo National Stadium will serve as a training venue due to its central location in Nairobi.
To improve access to these facilities, the government plans to construct a new railway station adjacent to Nyayo National Stadium and develop a railway spur line linking Nairobi Central Station to the Nyayo area, Kibera and onward to Talanta Sports City Stadium.
Kenya Railways said the new line is intended to provide a safe, reliable and affordable transport option for commuters and football fans, while easing congestion on major roads during the tournament period.
“The provision of an effective transport solution is a key initiative to ensure easy access to and from the venues of the soccer event,” the corporation said.As part of preparations for the project, Kenya Railways confirmed that it has issued notices to individuals and entities occupying the railway corridor earmarked for the development, advising them to vacate to allow for construction works to begin.
The corporation said it is in the process of evicting encroachers and repossessing land identified for the construction of the new station and spur line. It warned that any illegal structures or property found within the designated railway corridor will be demolished or removed without further notice.
“Any illegal structures or property found on the corridor will be demolished and/or removed at the encroacher’s risk and cost,” Kenya Railways said.Large sections of Nairobi’s railway reserve, particularly in informal settlements, have for years been encroached upon, often complicating infrastructure expansion projects. Previous railway developments have sparked legal and humanitarian concerns around evictions and resettlement, though Kenya Railways did not indicate whether compensation or alternative arrangements would be offered to those affected by the latest exercise.
The AFCON 2027 co-hosting rights were awarded to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania last year, placing pressure on the three countries to upgrade stadiums, transport systems and related infrastructure ahead of the tournament.
The planned commuter rail expansion adds to a series of transport projects being lined up in Nairobi as the government seeks to position the capital as a key host city capable of handling large-scale international sporting events.