Proposed Nairobi’s BRT System Gets Sh23 Billion Boost from European Lenders

Kenya has secured $221.4 million (about Sh23 billion) from European lenders for putting up of the proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Nairobi.

The funds will be availed to Kenya by the European Investment Bank (EIB), European Union (EU) and French development agency, Agence Francaise de Developpement, according to Bloomberg.

The EIB will lend Kenya between 50 million euros and 100 million euros, the European Union will give a grant of 45 million euros, while Agence Francaise de Developpement will lend the balance, said Catherine Collin, the EIB’s regional representative.

The government of Kenya is implementing the BRT system in Nairobi as part of its plan to decongest and improve the public transport system in the city.

The city will have six BRT corridors including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Likoni, James Gichuru-Rironi and Bomas to Ruiru roads. Others include Ngong Road to Juja, Mama Lucy to T-Mall, Balozi to Imara roads and along Thika Highway.

When complete, the Transport Ministry said the corridors will hold up to 950 high-capacity buses, thus reducing travel time and cost by up to 70 percent.

The government is importing 32 high-capacity BRT buses from South Africa and will source an additional 32 from local assemblers as part of the initial implementation of the project.