Where Are BRT Buses? We Only See Red Lanes

A year ago, Thika road was painted with red lines and BRT abbreviations. From the way things were being so fast, you would think that the buses would be around in a months time. “Wacha wakenya wangoje” perhaps it was the tender games played in Kenya..! What am i saying?

Last year a time like this, city residents woke to some action on the Superhighway as the Kenya Highways Authority (KeNHA) staff painted a red line labeled “Only BRT.” causing traffic along the highway to keep the paint safe!

Transport Secretary James Macharia promised 150 high capacity buses would use the dedicated lane in two months.

At the time, Macharia promised Kenyans that they would have The BRT buses soonest as the government was in the process of procuring them buses and was in talks with matatu owners association to facilitate them to purchase more. But what happened?

Months later in a follow-up interview, the cabinet secretary made yet another promise that 30 high capacity buses had already been ordered and would be in operation soon. Kenyans still waited!, And waited! Still no sign

there were proposals made by The Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Namata) to construct BRT stations along the marked superhighway as well as park and ride facilities at Ruiru, Githurai, and Kasarani, but nothing has been done until today.

In November 2018 the Infrastructure Secretary Engineer Francis Gitau said that they are still on the planning stage. Wow! from purchasing to the planning stage, what a smart backward leap! But kenyans are patiently waititng.

“Planning is being done in several phases like the infrastructure plans is being undertaken by our road agencies, of course coordinated by Namata. When you talk about service plans and business plans these are being done by consultancy services through development partner assistance and we are in touch with them on a daily basis,” he said.

Kenyans have termed the red line as a white elephant project that was hurriedly implemented.

Communication consultant Gathara once questioned; “Dear Nairobians, How are the BRT red lines working out for you? How much did they cost by the way?”

Economist David Ndii stated; “Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is about dedicated infrastructure. The 21k Dar Phase 1 took 4 yrs to build, cost $180m. It has three trunk routes with 29 stations, 140 buses, serving 300k commuters. Lets see how drawing red lines will work. You never know.”