The contractor Bus Rapid Transit, which was expected to solve transport woes, is yet to be paid Sh2 billion for works already done, the Star has learnt.
This is despite the National Treasury allocating the project Sh1.2 billion in the 2022–23 budget. In financial year 2023-2024 the project was allocated Sh1.1 billion.
But as part of the plans to have the contractor back to work, the state has opted to pay Sh500 million against the Sh2 billion the contractor is demanding.
A source from the from the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, who sought anonymity, told the Star the contractor had agreed to go back to the site.
The source said the contractor and the state will review the contract by introducing an addendum as timelines for the project have not been met due to lack of funds.
Some of the stations that had been constructed are now showing signs of ageing even before the project is officially handed over to the state.
Some BRT stations are near Safari Park Hotel.
A park-and-ride facility near Kasarani that was underway has also stalled.
In November 2019, the government floated the BRT tender, saying it intends to improve the Thika Superhighway infrastructure to accommodate the project.
The BRT project is expected to provide fast, reliable, clean, safe and affordable transport, thereby decongesting the Central Business District, reducing travel time and air pollution.
Chinese firm Stecol Corporation secured the Sh5.6 billion contract to build special lanes for high-capacity buses.
The project was to be carried out in two phases under one contract.
The first section is between Clayworks to the Nairobi CBD, while the second phase starts from Clayworks to Ruiru.
Namata which was established by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on February 9, 2017, is overseeing the implementation of the project.
It is mandated to establish an integrated, efficient, effective, and sustainable public transport system and covers the five counties that make up the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.
These are Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Murang’a counties, which have a combined population of 10.4 million, a fifth of the Kenyan population.
Traffic snarl-ups in the Nairobi metropolis are estimated to cost the country Sh2 billion annually.
Authorities estimate that air pollution causes more than 5,400 premature deaths in the country. The transport sector is responsible for 20 per cent of CO2 emissions in Kenya.
Residents of Nairobi and other cities predominantly rely on sustainable modes—public transport carries 41 per cent of trips while walking accounts for 40 per cent of daily travel. About 13 per cent of journeys are by personal cars in Nairobi.
On February 26, 2019, former Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia gazetted transport corridors in the city.
BRT Line 1, also called Ndovu, runs from Limuru-Kangemi-CBD-Imara Daima-Athi River and Kitengela.
Line 2 (Simba) runs from Rongai-Bomas-Langata Road-CBD-Ruiru-Thika and Kenol.
Line 3, called Chui, runs from Tala-Njiru-Dandora (Juja Road)-CBD-Showground (Ngong Road) and Ngong.
Line 4 (Kifaru), comprises of East, which runs from Mama Lucy Hospital-Donholm (Jogoo Road)-CBD and the West, which runs from CBD- T Mall-Bomas-Karen and Kikuyu.
BRT Line 5, which is also called Nyati, traverses Ridgeways (Kiambu Road)-Balozi (Allsops) and Imara Daima.
Once complete, all the corridors are expected to hold up to 950 high capacity buses.
The electric-powered buses will also be fitted with an intelligent transport system and will accommodate children, the elderly and people living with a disability.
Fares will be paid in a cashless system. Passengers will access the platform and buy tickets at machines.