The Bus Rapid Transport, a revolutionary idea whose intention was to ease perennial traffic snarl ups in Nairobi, is still an idea on paper years later.
In fact, perhaps to demonstrate the competing interests, President Uhuru Kenyatta in February announced a Sh15 billion Mass Transport System for the capital to be undertaken by the National Government and the Hungarian government. Last year, the Nairobi county reportedly made deals for a similar project with Dr Kidero visiting Germany and Japan which boast some of the most advanced urban rail networks in the world.
The necessity for a Bus Rapid Transport cannot be gainsaid. Traffic jams cost the economy at least Sh50 million every day in wasted man hours and slowed productivity. Needless to say, gridlock affects mostly those who contribute a huge portion of the country's GDP. The Government should therefore make it easy for them to get about with their business.
Recently, Tanzania launched the Bus Rapid Transport in Dar es Salaam. Nothing stops Nairobi, East Africa's biggest city, from getting a similar investment.
Getting rid of the traffic jams in Nairobi must be prioritised.
