Nairobi Railway City project gets boost under renewed UK-Kenya deal

Kenya and the United Kingdom have renewed their strategic partnership, setting the momentum for more bilateral trade and investment.

The pact, which succeeds the 2020-2025 framework, is also expected to deliver growth in Information and Communication Technology.

It will also cement the two countries’ joint responses to global and regional peace and security challenges.

This follows a Tuesday meeting between President William Ruto and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom at 10 Downing Street in London.

President Ruto said the partnership will double Kenya-UK trade volumes in the next five years.

“This will create wealth and jobs, and deliver tangible economic impact,” he said.

The partnership, he added, will also expand and accelerate funding for green growth and support start-ups in the digital space.

The President disclosed that the Nairobi Railway City Project is the flagship initiative under the renewed partnership.

“This will be transformative; it will improve mobility, stimulate growth and foster prosperity in the Nairobi Metropolitan.”

He said the financing framework for the project was being finalised, with Kenya undertaking to provide counterpart funding.

In the meeting, President Ruto commended the "strong cooperation between our two countries” in regional peace, security and defence.

“The Kenya-UK Defence Cooperation Agreement has delivered significant benefits. We remain committed to its timely implementation.”