European Union has pledged to grant Kenya Ksh5 billion for the resuscitation of Nairobi Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2015.
The project had stalled due to lack of funds to acquire the high capacity buses necessary to ease Nairobi City traffic.
The project had been valued at Ksh9.6 billion with 7 billion meant to get the necessary infrastructure into place while the rest was set aside for acquiring the buses.
Speaking at the event, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko promised to ensure that the project is carried on as planned in order to meet the planned deadlines.
To celebrate World Cities Day in Eastleigh on Wednesday, EU Ambassador to Kenya Stefano Dejak revealed that the funds would be used to build the supporting infrastructure for a period of three years.
"The one thing that Nairobi needs is to have an effective BRT system. That is why EU has invested a Ksh5 billion grant to make sure you the people of Nairobi will have an effective, safe, not polluting, not jamming, bus transport system," stated Mr. Dejak.
National and County Governments will be expected to meet the remaining balance in order to link Likoni, Parklands and Lusaka ring roads.
Sonko, who is also the co-chair of Nairobi Re-Generation Committee added that he would not tolerate laziness in the implementation of the project.
The project was meant to have 50 high capacity buses to ease Nairobi traffic while granting pedestrians ease in accessing railway and bus stations.
EU is currently funding construction of 16Kms of road in Nairobi City.
Nairobi City Hall had in October banned newly launched BRT buses citing design concerns including stairs on floors of the buses.
