Persons with disability want inclusive public transport

Since then, life has never been the same again.

Omondi works for the Kenya Society of the Blind as leader of advocacy, and says he has lost numerous life-changing opportunities just because he does not see.

“Before I was employed, I was in the space of Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) and I have lost a number of tenders just because I was unable to get there on time. This is due to the attitudinal barriers that I faced from the officers that are employed to handle tenders,” he says.

On October 16, 2013, former President Uhuru Kenyatta launched a legal requirement for women, youth and persons with disabilities to access 30 per cent of government procurement opportunities.

 The policy is founded on the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 Article 227 on the fair, equitable, transparent and cost-effective public procurement of goods and services, Article 55 on affirmative action and, the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.

Omondi says some officers normally look at persons with disability in a manner likely to suggest they are not able to deliver, yet they are capable.

He says PWDs have to use a multifaceted approach to ensure they are able to contribute to the country's development.

Omondi says there is a need to mount a massive awareness if they are to be accepted in society.

He made his remarks at Kenyatta University on Friday evening during a launch of a report on inclusive and accessible public transport for persons with disability.

The event was organised by Kenyatta University, Just City, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and Flone Initiative.

Omondi says his experience in the public transport service is even worse.

He uses PSVs on a daily basis from Kitengela to the city.

“I normally use each day as a learning curve. I make it my responsibility to ensure that the persons who man this PSV learn and understand how to manage persons living with a disability. The bible says my people shall perish because of lack of knowledge,” he says.

Most operators do not know the barriers people living with disabilities face.

He has missed his stage a number of times and he has also been manhandled by operators.

“I have dropped into manholes, and water drainages. Fellow passengers also do not give persons with disability consideration even when boarding vehicles, they will push you aside whenever animal instinct kicks in,” he says.

Omondi says each time, he knows what to expect as a person with a disability.

He also knows what is accorded to persons who are not visually impaired or not disabled.

This has however not dampened his spirits on advocating for accessibility in the built environment.

“We live in a society where we have to be accommodative and inclusive, so that we are able to lead proactive and functional lives as persons with disabilities. We can contribute to the economy of this country,” he says.

The new report calls on the state to ensure that the much-awaited Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is available, accessible, inclusive, fair, affordable, reliable, sustainable and safe for persons living with disability as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 11.

SDG 11.2 calls for the provision of accessible, safe, affordable and sustainable transport systems by 2030, which will be measured through the proportion of people especially vulnerable groups, who will have access to these public transport systems.

The report provides recommendations on the key features of an inclusive and accessible Bus Transit System.

The interior of BRT vehicles should be designed for ease of use for everyone.

For BRT and feeder buses operating on service extensions beyond the dedicated BRT corridors, a lift must be provided on the left side of the bus to enable boarding from bus stops and from ground level for older persons, wheelchair users, and those with physical disabilities.

 The report says stanchions, grab bars and hand holds must be provided in contrasting colours for balance and support for passengers to hold during bumps or sudden stops that vehicles may encounter.

"Priority seating must be provided that is clearly identified as reserved for persons with disabilities, older persons, mothers with small children and pregnant women,” part of the report says.

The report says approximately 800mm by 1200mm of space on BRT vehicles must be dedicated for persons using mobility devices.

The area must be located adjacent to vehicle entry doors to facilitate access from the BRT station.

The report says stop request buttons must be installed in a way that persons living with a disability can access.

The state is rolling out BRT as one way of having an integrated, efficient, effective and sustainable public transport system.

Traffic snarl-ups in the Nairobi metropolis are estimated to cost the country Sh2 billion annually.

The BRT buses, which are 12 metres and 18 metres long, described by engineers as kneeling buses are set to be used in BRT.

There will be nine elevated structures such as footbridges, fly over and underpasses.

A fleet of 120 18-metre-long electric buses known by engineers as kneeling buses is set to be shipped in for piloting.

Each bus has a capacity of 140 passengers. Being electric, it is expected there will be a reduction in air pollution.

The buses have an average speed of 20 to 25km/h.

Engineers handling the project say smart technology will be used to monitor the movement of buses and the number of passengers using the facilities.

The buses will have two access points to enhance passenger movement.

The monitoring will be real-time.

A cashless mode of paying fares has also been factored into the BRT.

Once passengers access the platform, ticketing machines have been provided to ensure a seamless transition.

Bus tickets will be validated at the entries.

To ensure the BRT buses are not hindered by other traffic, the inside lanes of Thika Super Highway will be demarcated and stations provided along the corridor.

At the bridges along the corridor, wheelchair lifts will also be provided for persons living with disabilities.

Ten footbridges are set to be modified with the Ruiru depot integrating railway.

The Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) is implementing BRT.

NaMATA seeks to establish an integrated, efficient, effective and sustainable public transport system.

NaMATA was established by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on February 9, 2017.

It covers Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Murang’a counties.

BRT project was allocated Sh1.2 billion in the 2022-23 budget by the National Treasury.

Already, five corridors have been identified by authorities to decongest Nairobi roads.

Line one is to run from James Gichuru Road-Waiyaki Way to JKIA, a distance of 20km.

The 31km line two will run from Lang’ata Road to Ngong Road, Juja Road, and Komarock Road to Ruiru with major stops at Dandora, Kariobangi and Gikomba Market.

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

In November 2019, the government floated the BRT tender, saying it intends to improve the Thika Superhighway infrastructure to accommodate the project.

The project will be carried out in two phases under one contract.

The first section will be between Clayworks and the Nairobi CBD, while the second phase will start from Clayworks to Ruiru.

A Chinese firm, Stecol Corporation, secured the Sh5.6 billion contract to construct special lanes for high-capacity buses.

The buses are to operate between Thika Superhighway, Nairobi city centre and Kenyatta National Hospital.

The main depot for line three is at Kasarani while other minor depots will be at the Kenyatta National Hospital and Ruiru.

The lack of funds has however stalled the project.

The implementation of the project is expected to continue in the financial year 2023/2024.

Namata CEO Francis Gitau said fiscal consolidation has not only affected the rollout of BRT but other projects as well.

“BRT remain a priority in improving quality of life for those using public transport as safe, reliable and effective transport, it is a top priority project that needs funding,” Gitau said.

Gitau however says that the project management structure provides remedies under the conditions of the contract.

He said the state will pay interest as a result of delays to the contractor.

“Timelines will be extended due to unforeseen issues,” Gitau said.

Gitau said the contractor has submitted records over the delay on the project to the state twice.

He said the contractor’s equipment was lying idle.

Some Sh 200 million is yet to be paid to the contractor.

The contractor also has to pay its workforce as well as other bills such as water and electricity.

Gitau said the importation of buses will also be delayed as it has to rhyme with the readiness of the infrastructure.

Some 100 electric buses are set to be imported.

Gitau said some of the stations that have been done were not only deteriorating but were also exposed.

“The contractor might lose because the completed stations have not been handed to the government,” he said.