A traffic jam in Nairobi
Kenya is putting in place a Sh35 billion modern public transport system in effort to bring order in the chaotic city public transport.
The project, which is jointly funded by the World Bank (Sh25.2 billion) and the government of Kenya (Sh9.8 billion), is scheduled to begin next year and will include the expansion of Uhuru Highway and establishment of a rapid bus transit and commuter rail system.
The World Bank has already confirmed the release of the funds for this project, which will include construction of two additional lanes from JKIA-Nyayo Stadium from where a double decker road with two lanes on either side will be constructed to the roundabout.
The project will also include construction of additional two lanes from Museum Hill to Uthiru as well as the rehabilitation of the existing carriageway to Rironi.
According to the National Urban Transport Improvement Project team leader Josphat Sasia, a National Metropolitan Transport Authority (NMTA) will be established to regulate public transport within the city.
“NMTA will oversee the implementation of the planned Nairobi Urban Transport Improvement Project that includes the upgrade of JKIA -Museum Hill-Rironi Road to a six lane road,” Mr Sasia said.
The authority will also finance the construction and operation of a new rapid bus and metro rail transport systems aimed to ease traffic congestion in the city by facilitating faster movement of people and goods.
The tendering process for the project will be done next year, according to Gilbert Arasa, an executive engineer with the Roads ministry.
“There is also a planned duelling of Outer Ring Road (Nairobi) at a cost of Sh6 billion which is scheduled to begin next year,” he said.
Other planned road projects include Ring Road-Ngara-Juja Road-Komarock Road to Kangundo Road junction and the Haile Selassie-Ring Road-Pumwani junction, which will remove roundabouts to reduce traffic congestion.
Good idea but as always the main stakeholders like us the the Matatu drivers will be left out in all stages of implementation hence our transport problems will always be there.