Nairobi loses approximately Sh120 billion per year due to traffic congestion, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.
In a statement, Murkomen said his ministry is committed to modernising the commuter rail network to decongest the city of Nairobi and ensure seamless movement of people within the Nairobi metropolitan areas of Machakos, Kiambu, Murang’a and Kajiado.
“The glow and freshness of Nairobi - once known as the Green City in the Sun – has been destroyed by traffic jams and vehicular congestion on our roads, which has led to an increase in carbon emission,” he said.
He noted that the government is finalising the construction of 13 new commuter rail stations that will increase the number of people using the commuter rail network from 20,000 to 120,000 by the end of the year.
“Stations, which will be ready for use by October this year include Mlolongo, Kitengela, Lukenya, Mutindwa, Kariobangi, Kenyatta University, Gitambaya (Ruiru, Aviation, Kibera, Satellite, Mutwini, Thogoto, Gitaru,” he said.
The CS noted that in Mombasa, a new line connecting Miritini SGR terminus to the Mombasa Central Business District is also in the final stages of completion and will be ready for use in September 2024.
In February, the Cabinet sanctioned the execution of the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Establishment and Junction Improvement Project, with the aim of alleviating traffic congestion within the city.
The Cabinet highlighted that implementation of the project will ensure Kenya's alignment with international best practices in city management.
"This seminal project is expected to revolutionise traffic management in Kenya, eliminating human interfaces in traffic control, and streamlining the payment of penalties for traffic offences," reads the Cabinet despatch.
