State sets aside Ksh200B to address Nairobi traffic jam

The government has lined up over Ksh200 billion to address traffic congestion problems in the Nairobi Metropolitan area.

The projects earmarked include a web of bus rapid transit system; new railway tracks, bypasses and elevated highways.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia who spoke exclusively to KBC Channel1, said the projects are expected to reduce traffic jams in Nairobi by more than half once completed.

Traffic congestion is estimated to cost the economy Ksh50 billion in lost manhour and burnt fuel in the Nairobi metropolitan area.

The government is working on a multi-faceted approach to address the problem that has been cited as a major factor hindering investment decisions and favourable business rankings.

Among the major projects earmarked is the introduction of a bus rapid transit system covering Ngong road, Thika Highway, Waiyaki Way among other critical arteries.

The bus rapid system is expected to be launched next month, with the arrival of several buses from South Africa.

The government is also rehabilitating 150 kilometres of railway track in Nairobi to boost capacity.

Eleven diesel multiple units are expected from Spain next month to ferry passengers from various destinations in the city. The units are expected to triple the number of people using the train service daily to around 100,000.

Works on the JKIA to CBD railway line being financed by the French government will also kick-off in September this year and will take 24 months to conclude.