The Nyayo–Talanta Sports City Rail Link, also known as the “Stadium Link” spur, is a critical 2026 infrastructure project designed to provide high-capacity commuter access between Nairobi’s Central Business District and the new Raila Odinga International Stadium (Talanta Sports City) at Jamhuri Grounds. Branching off the existing Nairobi Central–Limuru corridor, the line features a new station at Nyayo National Stadium and a dedicated track through Kibera, enabling the transport of up to 20,000 fans per hour in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

This urban spur serves as a vital “last-mile” component of Kenya’s broader railway modernization strategy, directly complementing the Naivasha–Kisumu SGR Extension (Phase 2B). As the SGR project prepares for its March 2026 groundbreaking, it aims to connect the hinterland and the Lake Region to the capital via a Standard Gauge spine. By integrating localized commuter links like the Nyayo–Talanta line with the national SGR network at Nairobi Central, the government is creating a seamless multimodal transit system. This allows international visitors and regional travelers arriving via the SGR from Kisumu or Naivasha to transfer directly to urban rail services, ensuring that major sporting hubs are accessible not just to Nairobi residents, but to the entire East African corridor.

January 15, 2026

Kenya Railways Corporation has made a move to clear land for a new commuter rail station at Nyayo National Stadium and a spur line that will connect central Nairobi to Talanta Sports City. The Nyayo-Talanta Sports City Stadium Rail Link comes in as the Kenyan government accelerates transport preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Furthermore, the rail spur forms part of broader efforts by the government to align transport, urban planning and security logistics ahead of AFCON 2027, one of the largest sporting events Kenya has hosted in many years. Additionally, previous commuter rail upgrades in Nairobi have focused on revamping the existing lines, while the Nyayo–Talanta link is a representation of a rare new urban extension tied to a fixed international deadline.

Project Details

Also, according to the railway operator, the plan includes the construction of a new station adjacent to Nyayo National Stadium and a spur line. The line will line run from Nairobi Central through the Nyayo area and Kibera before terminating at Talanta Sports City.

Additionally, demolitions to pave way for the project have already been reported. These demolitions are occurring along sections of the rail reserve near Lang’ata Road and the Nyayo area. These demolitions have drawn political and legal scrutiny as clearance operations cut through densely developed urban zones. Also, Kenya Railways has made a stand that the affected land falls within the railway reserve and is required for public infrastructure.

AFCON 2027 Match Venues in Kenya

Matches in Kenya will be held at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and the under-construction Talanta Sports City Stadium. However, as for Nyayo National Stadium, it has been designated as a training venue due to its central location. Additionally, the upcoming rail project aims to link these facilities to Nairobi Central Station. This will therefore ease match-day congestion and strengthening commuter transport capacity.

However, Kenya Railways did not disclose the cost of the project, funding arrangements, or construction timelines. Details on procurement works timelines on the project are expected as tournament preparations intensify.

Nyayo-Talanta Sports City Stadium Rail Link Factsheet

Project name: Nyayo–Talanta Stadium Rail Link (Spur Line).

Primary Objective: To provide a dedicated, reliable, and high-capacity transport solution connecting Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) to the main 2027 AFCON match venues.

Developer: Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), under the Ministry of Roads and Transport.

Route Start: Nairobi Central Station.

Key Intermediary Point: Nyayo National Stadium (new station planned).

Route: Travels through the Nyayo area and parts of Kibera.

Termination Point: Talanta Sports City Stadium (also known as Raila Odinga International Stadium), located at Jamhuri Grounds.

Corridor: Utilizing the existing Nairobi Central–Limuru commuter corridor with a new dedicated spur line to the stadium.

Key Infrastructure Components

• Nyayo Stadium Station: A new commuter station adjacent to the Nyayo National Stadium, which serves as the central operations and training hub for the tournament.
• Talanta Sports City Station: A dedicated terminal at the 60,000-seater stadium to facilitate mass arrival and departure of fans.
• Intermodal Integration: The rail link is designed to sync with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line along Ngong Road and the Southern Bypass link road.

Current Status: Active land repossession and corridor clearing (as of January 2026).

Construction Start: Preparatory works on the spur line were accelerated following a presidential directive in April 2025.

Estimated Completion: Targeted to align with the full operationalization of the Talanta Sports City Stadium in February 2026.

Strategic Importance

• Tournament Logistics: Connects the three primary Nairobi venues: Nairobi Central (hub), Nyayo (training), and Talanta Sports City (opening/closing matches).
• Capacity: The Talanta Sports City stadium is a $350 million (KES 45 billion) investment. The rail link is critical to move 60,000 people without paralyzing the city’s road network.
• Legacy: lastly, the link will serve as a permanent extension of the Nairobi Commuter Rail (NCR) service for residents of Kibera, Lang’ata, and Ngong Road.

Project Team

Project Developer & Lead Agency: Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC)

China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC): The lead contractor for the construction of the stadium and the core transport infrastructure. CRBC is a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Engineering Department: Acts as the Supervising Engineer for the stadium complex and its integrated transit links.

China Wu Yi Co. Ltd: Involved in the construction of related road upgrades and bridges that facilitate the rail-to-road “intermodal” transition at Talanta Sports City.

Gaps Construction and Engineering Co. Limited (Kenya): A local firm partnered for the infrastructure upgrades, including walkways and single-carriageway access roads around the rail terminal.

KRC Engineering Team: Responsible for the technical “Stadium Link” blueprint and the upgrades to the Nairobi Central–Kibera line.

involved in the commuter rail expansion studies (specifically the Riruta–Ngong stretch), providing a baseline for the spur line’s feasibility.

National Land Commission (NLC): The regulatory body tasked with the acquisition of the rail corridor and the management of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in areas like Kibera and Lang’ata.

Liaison Group (via Linzi Finco 003 Trust): The primary financier for the sports city infrastructure, utilizing a KSh 44.79 billion infrastructure asset-backed security listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.