A new report from the National Treasury reveals that the plan to revive Nairobi’s stalled Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is mired in delays, with key construction and design phases incomplete.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) has failed to conclude essential procedures for the BRT project. The primary reasons for the standstill include:
- Unpaid Bills:Â Construction on BRT Line 2 is suspended due to unresolved pending payments to the contractor.
- Shifting US Policy:Â Extended discussions with development partners, triggered by changes in US foreign assistance policy, have further delayed progress.
This setback comes despite the government having secured a Ksh7.6 billion loan from the Korean Export-Import Bank last year to fund BRT Line 5. That line was planned as a major 10.5-kilometer corridor with dedicated lanes, 13 stations, and new bridges, with construction slated to begin in January 2025.
The repeated delays highlight the administrative and financial chaos plaguing the ambitious project, leaving Nairobi’s promise of a faster, more reliable public transport system unfulfilled.
By James Kisoo
