Nairobi’s Railway City could soon become the capital’s new entertainment battleground, with a proposed Sh38 billion development set to introduce a 10,000 seat indoor arena , but the project is still awaiting environmental approval.
A proposed 10,000 seat indoor sports and entertainment arena is planned at Nairobi’s Railway City as the centrepiece of a wider Sh38.14 billion (about $294.49 million) mixed use development.
The project, being spearheaded by Zaria Group alongside Helios Sports & Entertainment Group, is expected to host major sporting events, concerts, conferences, exhibitions and cultural programmes. Zaria Group was co-founded by basketball executive Masai Ujiri.
The wider development is planned to include a hotel, serviced apartments, retail and office spaces, restaurants, a public plaza, pedestrian boulevard, sports park and outdoor performance spaces.
The project has already secured a long-term lease arrangement with Kenya Railways, but construction is not yet a done deal. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is currently seeking public views on the project’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment before determining whether to approve it.
If approved and completed, the arena would give Nairobi a major indoor venue capable of hosting events throughout the year and form part of the broader transformation of the Railway City precinct.
