The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) confirmed it was considering two international investors who showed interest in funding the Ksh5 billion underground parking in the central business district, a move that now brings the mega project closer to reality.
Director General Badi confirmed that one of the potential investors who has shown interest in the project is from Austria.
The project will see the famous Nairobi’s Machakos Country Bus and the Nairobi Law Courts parking converted to underground parking lots.
According to Badi, the successful investor will build and operate the two projects till they get their investments back then hand them over to the NMS.
NMS is working together with the newly established Public-Private Partnership Directorate headed by the Director General Chris Kirigua.
“We have engaged him and he is positive about the projects. He has already contacted the two countries which have experienced interest to enter under a 25-year PPP program. we are hoping for a positive reply soon,” Badi noted.
The project seeks to convert the densely populated upcountry bus station into underground parking with several storey-parking lots.
The parking will be operated digitally and motorists will be charged per hour for parking in the building.
“A motorist will come and pay through mobile money and leave his or her car to be parked in the building,” Badi stated.
Badi added that the project is just one of the several plans the national government has to convert many parking areas into underground parking.
He likened the project to the one the Holy Family Basilica is currently putting up to accommodate 536 cars.
In March this year, the Major General Badi – led team announced the plans to develop underground parking lots in the CBD but were still looking for investors to finance the project.
