Kenya Railways has commenced construction of a new railway link connecting Nairobi’s Central Business District to Talanta Sports City, in a major transport push ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The line will link Nairobi Central Station, Nyayo Stadium, Kibera and Talanta Sports City, providing a dedicated rail connection to key venues expected to host AFCON activities.
The project is being undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in partnership with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), with construction running around the clock.
Kenya Railways expects the line to be completed by October 2026, well ahead of the tournament.
The thinking behind the project borrows from the experience of major sporting events in London in 2012 and Qatar in 2022, where rail systems played a central role in moving large numbers of spectators between city centres, accommodation areas and competition venues.
But unlike a temporary tournament facility, the Nairobi line is expected to have a life beyond AFCON.
Once the tournament ends, the railway will be incorporated into Nairobi’s regular commuter rail network, giving the capital another public transport link between the CBD and the southern corridor.
