Funding challenges have delayed the completion of Sh5.6 billion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that runs from Kasarani through the Nairobi city centre to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) area.
The 27 Kilometer Kasarani-Kenyatta National Hospital line which has been under construction on and off by Chinese firm Stecol Corporation since 2020 was supposed to be opened for public use in June 2022.
But Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said Treasury was yet to allocate the project an additional Sh3billion required to complete it.
“The total project cost for the current line under construction was about Sh5 billion and we have spent up to Sh2billion to date,” said Mr Hinga.
“This means that we need an additional Sh3 billion to complete the current line.”
The first phase of BRT had dedicated two innermost lanes of Thika Superhighway to special high-capacity buses and erected boarding ramps to ease access to the buses.
The project was expected to support the city’s rickety public commuter service and help ease traffic congestion.
Other motorways identified in the project are the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Likoni, James Gichuru-Rironi and Bomas to Ruiru roads.
Other motorways are Ngong Road, Juja, Mama Lucy, T-Mall and Balozi to Imara roads.
