The traffic snarl-ups that have been a thorn in Nairobi residents' flesh could be a thing of the past following a proposal to form a new body to tackle the menace.
Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera on Tuesday announced that a draft Executive Order for the establishment of Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Namata) had been forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta for approval.
Appearing before the National Assembly Transport Committee, Nyakera stated that the body would be mandated with establishing a mass transport system, commuter services and the public transport within Nairobi metropolis.
He said the plan had also roped in satellite towns and would be extended to Machakos, Murang'a, Kajiado and Kiambu adding that the National Government had already signed an agreement with these counties.
The PS assured that the Order was only awaiting President Kenyatta's assent for it to be actualized.
Nyakera further added that Sh400 Million had been set aside for expansion of the commuter rail project as part of the plan to decongest the city.
“We will soon have a lot more commuter rails. We are going to sign a commercial contract for construction of the commuter rail from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the Central Business District,” he explained.
This could be a major boost to city residents who continue to bear the brunt of frequent traffic jams which have been blamed for loss of business.
