Nairobi, July 6 -- The standard gauge railway (SGR) line is set be extended into the Nairobi central business district (CBD), closing a crucial last-mile gap that left thousands of commuters disadvantaged by a 20-kilometre travel to and from the current passenger terminal in Syokimau.

The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) is hiring a contractor to develop the 15-kilometre line between the Syokimau SGR passenger terminus and Nairobi Central station, which is currently served only by the aged metre-gauge railway (MGR).

The extension will allow Kenyans travelling on the SGR train to Mombasa - and other destinations in future - to board trains in the CBD instead of travelling to Syokimau as has been the case.

The absence of the last mile be...