According to the Kenyan Wall Street, Nairobi m, Kenya is now the 4th most congested city in the world.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) in addition, released a report which revealed that Kenya potentially loses $1 billion (103.8 billion Kenyan Shillings) in lost productivity each year, as a result of vehicles stuck in traffic.
Illegal bus stages, double parking as well as personal cars being used as public service vehicles (some Bolt, Uber drivers as other drivers of taxi hailing services), have also been listed as causes of Nairobi’s traffic jam and congestion.
According to the report by the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA), Nairobi city’s average travel time is an estimated 57 minutes.
The almost 1 hour duration, is attributed to the lack a lack of an elaborate non motorized transport network, as well as the lack of a scheduled public transport system.
As a result, individuals commuting to and within Nairobi end up using personal vehicles over short distances as opposed to other alternative like cycling, walking, as well as public transport means.
The Nairobi County Government recently issued a ban on boda boda riders from conducting their operations within Nairobi’s Central Business District.
According to Kenyan Wall Street however, riders are still operating within Nairobi’s city centre despite the ban further endangering their lives as well as the lives of many road users.
The Kenyan government has so far set aside 200 billion Kenyan Shillings towards the reduction of traffic congestion in Nairobi.
The money was allocated to creating a network consisting of bypasses, new railway trucks, a Bus Rapid Transport System, highways, intended to reduce the traffic congestion in Nairobi.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) is also planning to create exclusive lanes for scheduled commuter transport in order to reduce the travel time to and from the Central Business District (CBD) of Nairobi.
