The Vision of the Nairobi City County Government is ‘to be a county where NMT is the mode of choice for short and medium trips.’'.
Background
In Kenya non-motorized transport (NMT) is the most widely used mode of transport. In Nairobi, 45% of people walk for their daily trips and many others use NMT to reach public transport. Despite being the dominant mode of transport, it is generally the least considered in urban planning and investments. The Integrated National Transport Policy (2012) recognises the importance of NMT in addressing the needs of the poor as well as promoting the health of the population. Some counties, like Nairobi, Kiambu and Kisumu are taking the lead in the provision of NMT facilities but there is still a lot of work to be done in Kenya to address the needs of people that walk and cycle.
Challenges
Nairobi city is characterised by increasing car ownership and use. As a result, the capital has experienced a surge in congestion and reduced road safety and air quality. The often unpredictable public transport systems and inconsistent NMT infrastructure means that users are exposed to fast, aggressive and high motorised traffic volumes. Where NMT facilities are provided, encroachment of these spaces is common. Vulnerable road users such as women and children are regularly forced to walk or cycle in the carriage way. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority, the number of pedestrian fatalities in April 2020 increased by 20% compared to 2019.
Successes
Across Kenya, city governments are working with different agencies on a number of projects that involve transit and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. For instance, the Institute of Transportation and Development Authority (ITDP) is working with the County Government of Kisumu, to prepare the first comprehensive Sustainable Mobility Plan for Kisumu. The organization intends to develop an action plan for critical transport improvements relating to walking and cycling, boda bodas, public transport, and parking management. Additionally, there are projects in Kiambu County to improve pedestrian facilities in the Ruiru town centre and to develop an urban transport policy that outlines how transport investments will be aligned with the county’s goal of establishing a network of compact, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods linked by high quality public transport.
The UN Environment Share the Road Programme - with the support of the FIA Foundation has been working with the Nairobi City County Government since 2015 to launch an NMT Policy for Nairobi. The policy included a first of its kind commitment in Africa - earmarking 20% of their road construction budget to NMT investment.
The NMT Policy is an exemplar in many respects, particularly when it comes to stakeholder engagement, and the development of clear indicators and goals, linking measurable outputs and outcomes to long term objectives.
The city has made significant progress in the last few years. It is now mandatory that all new and improved roads have NMT components and everyday there are improvements in the city and new ways of engaging with citizens. In 2018 for example, Nairobi hosted the Clean Air 4 Schools International Air quality exchange for school children. In the programme, children were taught about nitrogen dioxide (NOx), a harmful pollutant that comes from vehicle exhausts.
In Nairobi, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), together with other key stakeholders, are currently implementing the ‘Kazi Mtaani’ project. The overarching aim is to address congestion by providing Nairobi residents with the appropriate NMT infrastructure. The European Union and the Government of Kenya have also jointly funded the Nairobi Missing Link Roads and NMT Facilities Project, which is currently being implemented by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.
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