Kenya is planning to import 11 used diesel trains from Spain, some as old as 25 years, in an Sh10 billion plan for a commuter train service and high capacity buses in Nairobi.
The reconditioned Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) are expected to arrive in the country any time from June this year.
In the deal, approved by Cabinet, a single train is priced between Ksh71 million and Ksh137 million.
The deal was brokered in a trip to Barcelona in September 2018 by a team of 11 officials drawn from Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), the World Bank and the Ministry.
Details of the purchase plan contained in a report released last month by two global consultants commissioned by Kenya Railways Corporation have remained a carefully covered secret with only superficial references made to the public.
Revealed by The Sunday Nation, the deal is now at an advanced stage, pushed by influential Transport ministry officials despite operational challenges being pointed out.
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