Councillors voted 31 to 12 at a full sitting in Mto Mkuu to approve phase one of the northern rail extension, the commuter line that would run from Mto Mkuu station towards Kivuli.

Phase one covers 14 km of track, four stations and a depot at Kora Junction. The council's published estimate for this phase is KSh 41bn, to be met from a national transport grant and a county bond.

Construction tenders open in January, the transport committee said.

Councillors who voted against said the route through Riverside ward had not been settled, and asked for more hearings before land is bought.

The committee will publish the tender documents and a timetable for the land survey before the end of the year.