Remarks · 10 April 2026
Distinguished partners, Investors, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This morning, we take another significant step in the transformation of Nairobi into a modern, globally competitive capital city with the signing of the lease agreement between the Kenya Railways Corporation and Zaria Group under the Nairobi Railway City.
The agreements we witness today are the result of deliberate planning, structured coordination, and a clear collective commitment from both the government and the private sector to regenerate the core of our capital through integrated, largescale urban development.
The Nairobi Railway City was conceived as a master planned intervention, designated as a project of national importance, and anchored as a special planning zone, to guide the redevelopment of a critical urban precinct.
From the outset, we understood that this initiative would drive the renewal of Nairobi’s Central Business District. We envisioned transforming underutilized land into a dynamic, mixed-use urban district that integrates transport, commerce, culture, and public life.
In doing so, we would restore Nairobi’s Central Business District as a space that functions beyond the limits of the traditional workday, supporting a vibrant, safe, and productive 24-hour economy.
This week, during the Africa Urban Forum, we have witnessed discussions that reaffirm that this is the direction in which competitive cities are moving. Deliberate master planning for our cities is one of the key strategies that makes transformative investment possible. It provides clarity, reduces fragmentation, aligns infrastructure with investment, and creates the confidence required for private capital to participate meaningfully in public development. What we are witnessing today is that confidence in real action. Ladies and Gentlemen,
Indeed, the partnership between Kenya Railways Corporation and Zaria Group reflects a shared understanding that strategic urban infrastructure, particularly in sports, entertainment, and culture, is a critical driver of modern economic growth.
Through this agreement, we are establishing a new development anchor within the Railway City: a modern, multi-purpose arena and an integrated entertainment district that will host international events, support our creative industries, and expand Nairobi’s global footprint.
This investment reinforces an important shift in how we think about infrastructure. We must move beyond traditional definitions. Infrastructure is not only roads, ports, and rail, it is also the platforms that enable talent, attract global audiences, and position our cities within the economic and cultural networks of the world.
The Nairobi Railway City is designed as a complete urban ecosystem. Through this agreement, we take practical steps toward creating space for the creative economy to grow by providing infrastructure for artists, performers, and entrepreneurs to thrive. It integrates sports and recreation, positioning Nairobi as a destination for regional and international events, and strengthens our position as a MICE capital, supporting conferences, exhibitions, and global convenings that drive investment, tourism, and knowledge exchange.
This investment in Nairobi Railway City is expected to generate over 25,000 jobs annually across construction, operations, hospitality, and the wider creative economy, demonstrating the scale of impact that such infrastructure can deliver. Ladies and Gentlemen,
This milestone is a testament to our commitment to deliver value for our citizens. It also reflects strengthened collaboration between the National Government and the County Government of Nairobi.
Through our cooperation framework, we are aligning planning, infrastructure delivery, and service provision to ensure that Nairobi functions as a unified, efficient, and globally competitive capital.
Because the success of a capital city depends on coordination, not fragmentation, today’s progress demonstrates how that coordination, in practice, can activate investment, create jobs, and lay the foundation for sustained urban economic growth. This approach further reflects our fundamental view that successful cities are not built incrementally or in isolation, but through vision, discipline, and alignment between planning and investment.
We are encouraged by the progress we have made, and even more by the journey ahead. The implementation of the Nairobi Railway City masterplan will be driven by partnership, sustained investment, and shared ambition. We are firmly on that path. I thank you. ###