Transit plan gets the green light

Plans for a mass transit system to decongest Nairobi can now go ahead after the governors of five neighbouring counties who were initially sceptical of the project agreed to join in.

Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Machakos and Kajiado leaders Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to participate at a meeting convened by Transport and infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau.

The Sh89 billion mass rapid transit system (MRTS) is planned to pass through Kikuyu, Kitengela, Machakos, Limuru, Thika, Ruiru, Athi River and Kajiado, hence the need for an agreement.

Governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi), Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a), William Kabogo (Kiambu) and David Nkedianye (Kajiado) represented their counties while Machakos was represented by Roads and Transport Executive Kioko Luka and his Trade and Industrialisation counterpart Sunil Dhal.

Mr Kamau endorsed the MoU, saying that it paved the way for the creation of a new authority to recruit experts that can adequately deal with the concerns raised.

“The project needs a higher authority with nominated experts to deal with issues such as networking of feeder routes and approval of groundwork study that will make way for Phase 1,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

The World Bank and European Union welcomed the agreement.

German Development Cooperation (KFW) regional director Haje Schutte said: “The memorandum is the breakthrough we have been waiting for eagerly. We are now ready to extend funds that will go towards studying investment costs as well as the blueprint to cost Sh11 billion.”
Dr Kidero said a study tour was commissioned early this month to create more awareness on the rapid transit system.

“It involved travel to Germany, and we found out that the process would be faster if we kicked off the project with buses,” he said.

REFUSED TO SIGN

However, there were tense moments at the meeting attended by senators and governors from the five counties. Mr Nkedianye initially refused to sign the agreement.

“One way of getting a project wrong is lack of communication to parties involved. Kajiado wants to feel appreciated in the project. Nairobi has been giving us a lot of pressure,” explained Mr Nkedianye.

He signed on conditions that a framework to address the concerns raised is set up.

The agreement means that the governors will periodically meet to draft a layout of how the bus transit system and commuter rail will be connected per county.

This marks Phase 1 of the project expected to kick off in 2017 and be complete by 2030.

Phase 1 will give priority to the bus transit system network because it is easier to create. The rail system will be dictated by the bus transit routes.

Phase 2 is set to begin after 2030 and will entail the actual process of constructing the lanes using the laid down network.

“There will be a clear lane dedicated to buses and another for trams. We will begin consultations for bus network with Kajiado County,” said Mr Kamau.

A commuter railway line expected to accommodate the tram, will run alongside roads being refurbished through expansion.

This also means that matatus will provide feeder services to the MRTS, while long-distance public vehicles will not be allowed into the city centre.

The system will also entail the placing of detailed maps at every rail or bus station with precise kilometres to be covered by trams and buses.
A harmonised timetable will help commuters to know what time the next bus or tram will arrive.