Sh5.6 billion Nairobi transport project is a waste of money, MPs say

Members of Parliament have rejected the Sh5.58 billion Bus Rapid Transport saying it is not viable.

The project was initiated to ease transport within the Nairobi metropolitan area but MPs now say it has no value for money.

Two Chinese construction companies- M/s STECOL Corporation in a joint venture with M/s SMEDI were contracted by the Kenyan government to construct the 27.4 kilometer Ruiru-Nairobi Central Business District Section (NCBD)-Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) BRT on February 12, 2020.

The construction is overseen by the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Namata) and was to last 18 months.

The project is, however, yet to be completed three years after it commenced. The government has so far spent Sh951.8 million in advance payment.

The completion date has since been pushed to September 15, 2023.

The BRT project has five lines-Ndovu, Simba, Chui, Kifaru and Nyati all interlinked within the Nairobi CBD.

Phase I of the project involved the 23.7 kilometre Ruiru-Nairobi CBD with Phase II being 3.7 kilometre Nairobi CBD-KNH.

No value

When he appeared before the National Assemby’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee yesterday, Namata acting Director General Francis Gitau was told that the project has no value to the country.

“You will have to convince us of the viability of this project otherwise the much we have heard indicates that there is no value for money in the project,” committee chairman George Kariuki (pictured) said.

Gitau, however, appealed to the committee to approve the funds for the project saying that it will help ease transport problems within the metropolis.

“If we plan like European countries using this project, Kenya will be fantastic in terms of easing traffic on the congested roads within the Metropolis,” said Gitau.

The Nairobi Metropolis covers Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Murang’a counties.