Kenya’s Vision for Rail: A 50-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan
Kenya is embarking on a transformative journey with the development of a 50-year Integrated National Transport Master Plan (INTMP). Supported by the World Bank through the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, this ambitious initiative aims to position Kenya as the most efficient and effective transport hub in the East and Central African region. Rail transport, as a critical component of this plan, will play a pivotal role in enhancing regional trade, improving connectivity, and driving sustainable development.
The MTP IV (2023–2027) of Vision 2030, under the infrastructure sector, seeks to enhance transport connectivity by constructing new roads, maintaining rural and urban roads, and developing rail, air, and seaport facilities and services, among others. The MTP IV recommends the development of the 50-Year Transport Master Plan as one of the priority people-centred and inclusive growth interventions, which has not yet been accomplished.
The 50-year Master Plan and Investment Programme are expected to deliver a variety of outcomes, with key objectives including the promotion of efficiency in public transport by planning for affordable modes such as Bus Rapid Transit Systems, urban commuter rail systems, and the promotion of multimodal and integrated land use and transportation planning and development. Additionally, the Master Plan will provide a medium-term ten-year prioritised transport investment programme and implementation schedule for the entire country, as well as specific national and regional spatial development corridors.
Kenya has developed an Integrated National Transport Policy (INTP, 2009) that covers the entire transport sector, comprising five sub-sectors: Road transport, Rail transport, Maritime, Air transport, and Pipeline transport. The INTP identifies two critical issues in the planning and development of transport in Kenya that could be alleviated by a long-term integrated transport sector master plan. Firstly, land use and transport planning are not fully integrated in terms of connectivity and inter-modality, with each transport mode largely operating independently. Furthermore, transport system connectivity is a bottleneck to the socio-economic development of the country, as its linkages with centres of production, markets, and key economic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, industry, and mining are weak and inadequate. Socially, the current transport system does not adequately facilitate access to health, education, governance (including government services), security, and recreation facilities, among others.
To address these challenges, Kenya’s Ministry of Transport has issued a tender for consulting services to develop the 50-Year Integrated National Transport Master Plan (INTMP) and a 10-Year Investment Programme for Kenya. The duration of the assignment is eighteen calendar months.
The closing date for submissions is the 12th of September. Premium subscribers can access further information here: