The metre-gauge DMUs were rendered surplus to requirements by SFM’s electrification programme, which was completed in January.

The first trains are expected to arrive in Kenya in June and the fleet will be used on services from Nairobi Central to Syokimau, Embakasi Village, Thika, Kikuyu and Kitengela.

The acquisition of additional rolling stock is part of KRC’s NCR Masterplan, which aims to increase capacity on commuter services in the capital from 13,000 to 132,000 passengers a day by 2022.