Sakaja: BRT Line 4 project to start in December 2023

Works on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line 4 project are expected to commence in December, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has said.

Sakaja made the announcement after holding talks with the African Development Bank and The Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA).

Sakaja commended AFDB Group Urban Development Division Head, Stefan Yannic Atchia and Namata director general Francis Gitau for supporting the BRT project.

“Grateful for the support towards the development of Kifaru Line (Line 4). The project designs and west side feasibility commences this December,” he said.

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.

At the moment Namata is in talks with the African Development Bank (AfDB), for possible financing of USD 700,000 million which amounts to Sh100 million towards this consultancy.

Sakaja explained to the Star that the BRT project is part of President William Ruto’s plan under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformative Agenda for the period 2022-2027.

“The realization of this ambitious agenda requires good accessibility of the main cities and an effective and efficient public transport system,” he said.

BRT Line 4 project, as explained by Sakaja is in line with the President'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.

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 the 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.

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.

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

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 in 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.