Will Big Four agenda solve transport crisis?

The Government of Kenya promises that the transport crisis in the country, including the corridor leading right up to the heart of Nairobi city, will be solved by one of the pillars of the Big Four Agenda.

Mr. Charles Hinga Mwaura, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Housing and Urban Development at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) workshop, said plans to adopt modern traffic management systems are a key component in the 500,000 affordable homes program (AHP).

AHP will feature access and movement systems as well as service plans for smooth movement of persons from their homes to their areas of employment, according to PS Mwaura.

The government also confirmed that transport to affordable housing program sites has been incorporated in the design guidelines.

Speaking on behalf of the PS, Nairobi Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) Board Director Ronald Ndegwa said the development of AHP will seek to curb perennial traffic jams associated with large projects.

This includes incorporating Nairobi’s central business district plans in Nairobi’s upcoming Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project.

ITDP proposals, Hinga confirmed, will be incorporated in the AHP projects, which will also provide separation between motorized and non-motorized forms of transport.

“To achieve Affordable Housing Program objectives we must facilitate ease of movement in an effective and reliable manner,” Hinga said.

He added, “Our project design principles feature clear policies on access and movement including cycling paths and pedestrian friendly walkways to boost non-motorized forms of transport uptake.”

Land breakdown in the AHP development framework will incorporate residential housing units on 50% of the project land.

Utilities, Roads, and Services will sit on 25% of the land while Open Spaces and Community Facilities with Retail amenities will sit on 15% and 10% of the land space respectively.

The affordable housing program incorporates supply, demand, and enabling environment interventions.

The AHP project pipeline will be developed in five lots.