Nairobi to Implement KSh 8 Billion Smart Traffic System to Decongest City
Nairobi is set to benefit from a KSh 8 billion Intelligent Transport System (ITS) designed to ease traffic congestion across the capital. The Government of Kenya, through the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), signed a contract with Samsung C&T Corporation of South Korea in 2024 to construct the ITS and carry out junction improvements. Funding for the project will be provided by the Korea Exim Bank. Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, urged swift implementation, emphasizing the need for a durable system that can integrate future technological upgrades.
The smart traffic management system will include traffic lights, cameras, sensors, and signal controllers at 25 key junctions in Nairobi, including Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, Koinange Street, Mbagathi Way, Lang’ata Road, and Limuru Road. These systems will optimize traffic flow, monitor congestion in real-time, and enable a traffic violation detection system at critical intersections. Additionally, the Traffic Management Centre (TMC), located at the former Cabanas facility, will be redeveloped and equipped to manage the integrated system effectively.
The project, slated to begin in March 2025 and conclude by February 2027, also includes a communication network, intersection surveillance, vehicle enforcement systems, and skills transfer for local personnel. KURA Director General, Silas Kinoti, assured that all necessary support would be provided to ensure timely completion, noting that technical delays in the bidding process had previously slowed the project. Once operational, the ITS is expected to significantly improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety across Nairobi.