Kenya Railways has cancelled an international tender for 24 air compressors for Diesel Multiple Unit trains under the World Bank's Ksh65 billion Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project. The corporation announced the cancellation on April 28, 2026, just 12 days before the May 11 bid submission deadline. No detailed reasons have been provided publicly.
Kenya Railways issued an official notice on April 28 cancelling the tender, which followed World Bank procurement regulations through an international competitive process. It sought to upgrade key components of DMU trains, with delivery planned for the corporation's central workshops in Nairobi. Bidders were required to submit proposals with a Ksh1.5 million bid security by May 11 at headquarters.
The DMU trains serve the Nairobi Commuter Rail, providing faster, reliable, and affordable transport to the Central Business District for Nairobi residents and nearby counties. The sudden cancellation creates uncertainty around the procurement timeline and upgrades to commuter rail infrastructure.
Stakeholders speculate the decision stems from administrative reviews or funding changes, though Kenya Railways has not elaborated. Such abrupt halts are rare in major donor-funded projects and risk delaying implementation while eroding donor confidence.
It remains unclear if the tender will be re-advertised or revised for better affordability. This occurs amid reports of frequent DMU train breakdowns, increasing repair costs for the corporation.
