This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
As the city grapples with the perennial problem of traffic congestion, the government's efforts to decongest the city have been met with a series of chaotic decisions, leaving many to wonder if there is a deficit of thinkers and problem solvers in its ranks.
One such decision was the painting of the Bus Rapid Transit lane along Thika Superhighway, which has since faded, rendering the effort ineffective.
Furthermore, the government plans to import 32 high-capacity buses from South Africa, a move that has raised eyebrows given the existing congestion on the roads.
Adding insult to injury, the government has now announced plans to build a bus lane along the same superhighway to be used by the BRT buses, despite the fact that the company to run the mass transit system has yet to be formed.
With a budget of Sh5.8 billion, the project is set to worsen the traffic nightmare, rather than alleviate it.
It is astonishing that the government has not considered alternative solutions, such as an elevated light rail system, like monorails, which could potentially transport hundreds of thousands of passengers per day.
Unfortunately, the bureaucratic system and conflict of interest have hindered innovativeness and dynamic thinking, leading to selfishly benefiting individuals.
It is high time for a major shift in how we think about the future of our cities and mass transit systems, prioritizing sustainability, efficiency, safety, comfort, and cost.
