Nairobi gets digital traffic lights, awaits CCTV cameras

A traffic jam in Nairobi. Nairobi is currently investing in an integrated traffic control system worth hundreds of millions. Photo/File

What you need to know:

  • This will enable better traffic direction with operators also able to direct officers to areas of accidents. Speedsters and other traffic offenders will also be in trouble as the cameras are expected to be powerful enough to read number plates

Traffic control at roundabouts in Nairobi could soon cease being a human affair as the government moves to install a smart system to improve efficiency and free up the numerous officers who control traffic at these points daily.

Traffic lights with countdown timers are being installed and will soon be followed by CCTV cameras to complete the integrated security and traffic control system.

So far, several areas including the Westlands roundabout on Waiyaki Way and Kenyatta Avenue- Uhuru Highway roundabout have seen the lights replaced although traffic police officers continue to direct traffic as the control room is yet to be set up.

Sunday, workers from Match Electricals were on Kenyatta Avenue were setting up the masts and control panels in readiness for installation of the lights and cameras.

“The lights replacement will cover the whole CBD,” said Stephen Ndirangu who was overseeing the process. “With the cameras, the person in the control room can tell which road is more congested and needs more time,” he added.

This will enable better traffic direction with operators also able to direct officers to areas of accidents. Speedsters and other traffic offenders will also be in trouble as the cameras are expected to be powerful enough to read number plates.

“The cameras we are installing have face recognition techniques. Once you commit a crime and walk to another camera, it will give a signal to security officers and you will be arrested,” former Nairobi Metropolitan Development minister Mr Jamleck Kamau told Parliament last year highlighting the security application of the gadgets.

In November last year, state owned Chinese firm Ms Nanjing Les Information Technologies won the tender for the installation of CCTV cameras among 27 companies, quoting a price of Sh430 million. The Integrated Urban Surveillance System (IUSS) project was supposed to have been completed by January 2013.

The project follows a May 2012 Sh8.5 billion grant from the Chinese government for installation of CCTVs in major cities and town around the country which came in the wake of sustained terrorist attacks.

Building owners will also be required to install CCTVs to aid in security improvement in the CBD.

In this first phase that will cover the CBD, 51 cameras are expected to be installed to aid in security and traffic management at Kirinyaga Road, Gikomba, Kenyatta National Hospital, Machakos Country Bus Station, Muthurwa Market among others areas.