President William Ruto has given the green light to Nairobi’s ambitious underground metro rail project after receiving a detailed progress briefing at State House, paving the way for the next phase of a transport system expected to reshape movement across the capital.
The President’s endorsement followed a high-level presentation by Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and senior officials from both the national and county governments on the proposed Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System (NMMRTS).
The State House meeting comes only days after the Nairobi City County Executive Committee, chaired by Governor Sakaja, approved the mass transit project, clearing the way for its implementation.
Speaking after the presentation, Governor Sakaja described the President’s approval as a major milestone for the city, saying it marks the beginning of one of Nairobi’s biggest infrastructure projects.
“It was a successful presentation and the President endorsed it fully. This is by far the most consequential development this city will see,” Sakaja said on Friday.
President Ruto said the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System offers the best answer to the long-standing traffic congestion that has affected Nairobi and neighbouring areas.
“Our plan for the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transport system is the perfect solution to the traffic congestion and gridlock that face our capital city and the environs,” the President said.
He said Nairobi City County has already issued the approvals needed for the first phase of the project, which will see the construction of a 30-kilometre underground railway linking densely populated estates in Eastlands to the Central Business District through 25 stations.
According to the President, the underground metro line will serve as the main component of a wider transport network that will also connect with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and commuter rail services to improve travel across the city.
The planned system is expected to serve nearly five million people, who together make more than 12 million trips within Nairobi every day.
President Ruto said he received a progress update on the project from Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Governor Sakaja and senior officials from the national and county governments, a move that reaffirmed the commitment by both levels of government to fast-track the project.
The endorsement is expected to move the project closer to the planning and financing stages as the government pushes ahead with what is projected to become Nairobi’s largest urban transport infrastructure project. Leaders behind the initiative say the system will improve mobility, cut travel time and support the city’s future growth.