Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has confirmed plans to build a modern garage to relocate mechanics currently operating in Grogon.
He made the announcement on Monday, July 27, after holding separate consultative meetings with representatives from the Grogon mechanics community.
The proposed facility is expected to accommodate about 1,200 vehicles and improve working conditions for the mechanics. During the discussions, Sakaja acknowledged that the regeneration programme has disrupted businesses, but he said the project will deliver long-term benefits for the city and its residents.
“We are planning to build a modern facility that will improve your working conditions, grow your businesses, and create more opportunities.”
The garage will include vehicle showrooms, painting booths, car wash bays, training rooms, clinics, shops, kitchens, and other support facilities, Sakaja said, adding that the upgrades will create a better working environment for mechanics while opening up new business opportunities.
The planned facility forms part of the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, which aims to restore the river’s ecosystem while creating fresh economic opportunities along the river corridor. It also comes days after the Nairobi County Government approved the implementation framework for the first phase of the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System (NMRTS), clearing the way for an underground rail network through the CBD.
Sakaja said the approval signals a move from planning to actual delivery of a transport project designed to tackle Nairobi’s long-running traffic congestion and improve daily commuting.
The county government expects the project to create thousands of jobs during both its construction and operational phases. It also projects that the system will cut carbon emissions and support Nairobi’s broader sustainability and climate goals.
Meanwhile, plans for the second phase of the mass transit system are also underway. The extension will cover Westlands, Ngong Road, and Lang’ata and will expand services to growing commuter populations in Ongata Rongai, Ngong, and Nairobi’s western corridor.
Once completed, the NMRTS network will connect to Nairobi’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system through strategically placed interchange stations.
