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Evans Kidero in commuter trains deal with Japan

What you need to know:

  • Bid to end Nairobi traffic nightmare.
  • Governor says talks for construction of mass transit system at advanced stage.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is set to sign a deal with Japan to introduce commuter trains in the capital.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, Dr Kidero, who has been on a week-long trip to Japan, said he would commit the capital city to a deal to adopt the Yurikamome Mass Transit Automated Guideway Train system.

The system is fully automated and transports about 170,000 passengers daily and runs for 16 hours each day.

“I am happy to announce that my government and the Japan International Corporation are at a very advanced stage of negotiations to commence construction of the mass transit system in Nairobi County through the Nairobi Metropolitan Transport Authority” Dr Kidero said.

He said construction is expected to start in February 2016.

The announcement comes a week after Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau named an eight-member committee led by Transport Principal Secretary Nduva Muli that will oversee the implementation of a mass rapid transit system within the city and its surroundings.

The committee will include county executives for roads and transport from Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Kiambu and Murang’a.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in October last year where the five counties agreed to set up the Nairobi Metropolitan Transport Authority to oversee the mass rapid transit system.

The committee will recommend policies on pricing and investments, financing, equipment and related traffic management systems.

It is, however, unclear whether one of the five governors can unilaterally commit to provide a component of the system.