Nairobi loses approximately Kes.120 billion per year due to traffic congestion, according to Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Discussing plans to decongest the capital city, Murkomen said his ministry is committed to modernizing the commuter rail network and ensuring seamless movement of people within the Nairobi metropolitan areas, including Machakos, Kiambu, Murang’a, and Kajiado.
“The glow and freshness of Nairobi – once known as the Green City in the Sun – has been destroyed by traffic jams and vehicular congestion on our roads, which has led to an increase in carbon emissions,” he said.
Murkomen announced that the government is finalizing the construction of 13 new commuter rail stations, which will increase the number of people using the commuter rail network from 20,000 to 120,000 by the end of the year.
“Stations ready for use by October this year include Mlolongo, Kitengela, Lukenya, Mutindwa, Kariobangi, Kenyatta University, Gitambaya (Ruiru), Aviation, Kibera, Satellite, Mutwini, Thogoto, and Gitaru,” said Murkomen.
The CS added that in Mombasa, a new line connecting the Miritini SGR terminus to the Mombasa Central Business District is in the final stages of completion and will be ready for use in September 2024.
