Sakaja explains Nairobi’s first underground metro project to Senate, says will end traffic gridlock

Appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, Sakaja said the ambitious transport project had gained significant momentum after receiving approval from the Nairobi City County Executive Committee, with the National Government also moving to fast-track its implementation.

"The first-ever underground metro system in Nairobi was approved by my Cabinet. The NMRTS is the ultimate solution to congestion in the city," Sakaja told senators.

He said cities with efficient public transport systems demonstrate that reliable mass transit reduces dependence on private vehicles.

"When you travel around the world, you wonder where all the people are—they are underground, travelling. I have friends who are billionaires in other cities, yet they don't use their private vehicles. They use public transport because, when such systems are well designed, they are reliable, punctual and convenient," he said.

The Governor noted that the project revives a transport vision that has remained unimplemented for more than eight decades despite featuring in successive urban planning reports.

He said proposals for a ring railway and Central Business District rail links first emerged in 1948, followed by recommendations for an integrated transport network by the Nairobi City Study Group in 1972 and later in the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan of 2014.

"These recommendations were never implemented. We are now finally delivering that vision," he said.

Sakaja said the county government had spent the past three years working with the Executive Office of the President to develop a comprehensive implementation blueprint for the first phase of the project.

He disclosed that the full NMRTS programme is estimated to cost USD 7.78 billion, with financing expected through a combination of government funding, pension funds and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) investments.

According to the Governor, key feasibility studies have already been completed with technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Chinese experts, paving the way for implementation.

"We are now setting up the Project Management Unit. The studies have been completed. We have already demonstrated that underground infrastructure is possible, as was done at the Haile Selassie-Uhuru Highway junction. Mass transit is now a reality," he said.

Sakaja welcomed the National Government's support, saying the project had entered its next phase following the county cabinet's approval.

He revealed that Dr. Silvester Kasuku, Advisor on Governance in the Executive Office of the President, had already briefed Transport Principal Secretary Mohammed Daghar and Roads Principal Secretary Eng. Joseph Mbugua on the approved project ahead of its submission to the National Government Cabinet for consideration.

The Governor said the metro system would significantly improve mobility for residents and visitors while strengthening Nairobi's position as a regional commercial hub.

"We cannot continue welcoming international investors and visitors only for them to spend two hours stuck in traffic. We will turn Nairobi into a 20-minute city, where you can get anywhere within 20 minutes," he said.

Under Phase One, the metro line will connect the Central Business District to Eastlands, with underground sections extending to Westlands and Upper Hill.

Phase Two will expand the network along Ngong Road and Lang'ata Road, creating an integrated rapid transit system designed to improve movement across the capital.

Sakaja said the project would also generate substantial economic benefits through Transit-Oriented Development, increased land values around stations and private sector investment.

"We already have the vision, the implementation plan and the locations of the stations. Land values around these stations will rise significantly. We have developed the legislative framework outlining what the County Assembly, the National Government and private investors each need to do to make this project a success," he said.

Once completed, the Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System will integrate metro rail, commuter rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and non-motorised transport into a single public transport network, representing one of the most significant transport infrastructure projects in Nairobi's history.