Kenya to team with France to build commuter rail line in Nairobi

NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to partner with France to build a commuter rail line in the capital City Nairobi, which will connect the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the City's Central Business District, according to a statement issued by State House on Wednesday evening.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said in the statement that the rail line which will be implemented in partnership with a French consortium should be ready in two years to help ease traffic congestion within the City.

Kenyatta called on officials to fast track agreements so that the project is completed within the next two years, warning that bureaucracy and government red-tape should not delay the project.

He said the government has prioritized the development of the urban commuter rail and the rapid bus transit to reduce traffic congestion and boost the economy of the City.

"Our target is to have 500,000 urban commuters moving freely daily within the next 12 months. This number will grow to over a million commuters daily within the next five years," Kenyatta said according to the statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the French consortium will play its part in providing a mobility solution for Nairobi.

Macron, who is in Kenya for state visit, said he was happy with the increasing partnership between Kenya and France.