NAIROBI, Kenya – The busy city of Nairobi loses approximately Sh120 billion annually due to traffic congestion, according to Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Addressing the public, Murkomen emphasized the government’s commitment to revamping the commuter rail network as a key strategy to decongest the city and enhance mobility within the Nairobi metropolitan areas, including Machakos, Kiambu, Murang’a, and Kajiado.
“The glow and freshness of Nairobi – once known as the Green City in the Sun – has been marred by traffic jams and vehicular congestion, leading to increased carbon emissions,” Murkomen lamented.
He highlighted that the Ministry of Transport is finalizing the construction of 13 new commuter rail stations, expected to significantly boost the number of rail users from 20,000 to 120,000 by the year’s end.
The new stations, set to be operational by October, include key locations such as Mlolongo, Kitengela, Lukenya, Mutindwa, Kariobangi, Kenyatta University, Gitambaya (Ruiru), Aviation, Kibera, Satellite, Mutwini, Thogoto, and Gitaru.
These developments are part of a broader effort to provide a modern, efficient alternative to road transport, which has been overwhelmed by the city’s rapid growth.
In addition to the Nairobi initiative, Murkomen revealed that a new rail line connecting the Miritini Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus to Mombasa’s Central Business District is nearing completion and will be ready for use in September 2024. This line aims to facilitate smoother, faster travel between key economic hubs.
Earlier this year, the Cabinet approved the implementation of the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Establishment and Junction Improvement Project.
This groundbreaking project aims to alleviate traffic congestion by introducing advanced traffic management technologies.
“This project is poised to revolutionize traffic management in Kenya, eliminating human interfaces in traffic control and streamlining the payment of penalties for traffic offenses,” the Cabinet statement detailed.
The ITS project is expected to align Kenya with international best practices in urban transport management, showcasing the country’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
