Kenya Receives Ksh7.6 Billion For Outer Ring Road BRT, With Construction Scheduled For 2025

The long-awaited Outer Ring Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is finally taking off after the government secured Ksh7.6 billion to fund its construction. This ambitious venture aims to decongest Nairobi’s notorious traffic, offering a critical transport solution for the eastern part of the city....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

The Bus Rapid Transit Line 5 will be a major upgrade to the city’s infrastructure, providing dedicated lanes for high-capacity buses along a 10.5 km stretch from the Eastern Bypass to Thika Superhighway.

The funds, sourced through a loan from the Korean Export-Import Bank under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, were initially secured in 2020 during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
Why it matters:

Traffic congestion along Outer Ring Road has been a problem on one of the roads, leading to Kenya’s biggest airport, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Dig deeper:

The project is set to begin in January 2025, according to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), which has already called for tenders for the construction. This move signals an aggressive step by the government to ease the traffic nightmare plaguing Nairobi.

Outer Ring Road, once hailed as a transformative development for East Nairobi, has been overwhelmed by heavy traffic in recent years. Areas such as Pipeline Estate and the Kariobangi junction have become chokepoints, with the road’s initial design failing to accommodate the ever-growing population.

Pedestrian crossings, numerous passenger pick-up points, and other structural issues have exacerbated the gridlock, making the case for a comprehensive transport solution.

The BRT project promises a complete overhaul of this vital road. It includes constructing 13 BRT stations, three river bridges, two overpass bridges, and various footbridges for pedestrians.

Additionally, street lighting, landscaping, and a new drainage system will be installed to support the infrastructure. Advanced traffic management systems will also be integrated, improving the road’s safety and functionality.

A key component of the project will be the introduction of electric vehicles to operate on the BRT line. Vehicle charging centres will be strategically located along the route, enhancing the city’s green transport goals. The buses will be equipped with modern technology, including vehicle location tracking and surveillance systems.

This, combined with a fare collection system that aims to be both efficient and transparent, will provide Nairobi residents with a more organised public transport service.

The plan also includes constructing a state-of-the-art BRT depot, complete with parking spaces, access roads, and supporting infrastructure for both civil and electro-mechanical works. The depot, covering a substantial 1365 square metres, will serve as the backbone of the BRT system, ensuring smooth operations and maintenance of the vehicles.

This project aligns with the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan, a broader strategy to ease the strain on Nairobi’s central business district. By diverting traffic away from the city centre and providing a faster, more reliable transport service, the government hopes to revitalise the surrounding areas, particularly Eastlands, which has seen unprecedented growth but insufficient infrastructure development.
Weary eyes:

Concerns have been raised about the viability of the project, given the delays and afterthoughts seen in the Outer Ring Road’s initial construction. Still, the government appears determined to correct the mistakes of the past.

The new BRT system will include a vehicle enforcement system and CCTV surveillance to ensure passenger safety. It aims to restore public trust in large-scale infrastructure projects, which have often been marred by inefficiencies and design flaws…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>