Nairobi secures Sh9.3 billion financing from US government

Published: Feb.,19 2024 12:38 PM

Star News Digital

 

Nairobi county government has secured Sh9.3 billion in financing from the United States government.

Speaking to the Star, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the funds will go towards transport and land use planning.

“We are excited about our engagement with the government of the United States of America through Millenium Challenge Corporation which is partnering with us on a $60million Threshold program for the people of Nairobi,” he said.

Last week, Governor Sakaja hosted Chidi Blyden, the deputy CEO of the Millenium Challenge Corporation.

The program according to Sakaja will include walkways and cycle paths, Bus Rapid Transit financing, and commuter and pedestrian connectivity.

“To make it clear the States is not financing the BRT lines but will support the leasing and maintenance of buses for Line 2,” Sakaja said.

The 31-km Line 2 will run from Lang’ata Road through Ngong, Juja, and Komarock roads to Ruiru with major stops at Dandora, Kariobangi, and Gikomba Market.

On its successful completion, Governor Sakaja said the program will give way to a much more intensive compact program for Nairobi.

It is estimated that Nairobi has a population of 4.4 million and according to the 2019 census, the five counties that make up the Nairobi Metropolitan Area account for 10.4 million people (a fifth of the Kenyan population).

Further, records show that 41 per cent of Nairobi residents use public transport every day, 40 per cent walk to their destinations, and 13 per cent use private or personal cars.

BRT is expected to offer a reliable mode of commuter transport thereby decongesting Nairobi’s Central Business District.

Once rolled out it will also ease transport woes, reduce travel time, and reduce air pollution.

The state has identified five corridors to decongest Nairobi roads.

Line 1 will run from James Gichuru road-Waiyaki Way to JKIA, a distance of 20km.

Line 3 will run from Githurai through Thika Road to Moi Avenue in the CBD, ending at Kenyatta National Hospital.

BRT Line Four also known as Kifaru line is expected to pass through Mama Lucy- Jogoo Rd- CBD – Valley Rd- Yaya Centre – Kawangware – Kikuyu- Gitaru.

BRT Line 4 project, as explained by Sakaja is in line with President William Ruto’s commitment to creating incentives for the adoption of electric mass transit systems in all cities and towns and rolling out electric vehicle charging infrastructure in all urban areas and along the highways.

The project will however be implemented in line with the Ministry of Roads and Transport Strategic Plan 2022-2027.

“One of the objectives under the strategic plan is to expand, modernize and maintain integrated, efficient and sustainable transport systems and to improve quality of service, safety and security of transport systems, built environment and urban development,” Sakaja said.

To facilitate the movement of goods, the government allocated Sh1.1 billion for the Nairobi Bus Rapid Transit project for this Financial Year 2023-24.

The state is banking on the BRT project to help curb greenhouse gas emissions.

The BRT project, meant to decongest the city, was allocated Sh1.2 billion in the 2022-23 budget.

Authorities say BRT will be a reliable mode of commuter transport planned to decongest the central business district, ease transport woes, reduce travel time and reduce air pollution.

During the Climate Summit last September, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the first line of the BRT will be in use in December 2024.

“The roll-out of a Bus Rapid Transit system (with the first line is set to be ready for use by December 2024),” he said.