Sh6billion BRT project in limbo as MPs put NAMATA to task over value for money

A legal battle between the Kenyan government and Chinese companies involved in the construction of the stalled Sh5.58billion Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project to ease transport within the Nairobi Metropolis is looming after Members of Parliament (MPs) gave a clear indication that they will not be supporting the project as it has no value for money.

The construction is overseen by the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Namata) and was to last 18 months.

The two Chinese construction firms- M/s STECOL Corporation in a joint venture with M/s SMEDI- were contracted by the Kenyan government to construct the 27.4 kilometer Ruiru- Nairobi Central Business District Section (NCBD)- Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) BRT on February 12, 2020 under the retired president Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.

This could be an indication that the MPs are now targeting the projects started with former President Uhuru Kenyatta without understanding the legal consequences that await the country.

However, more than three years down the line, the project is yet to be completed with the government having already pumped in Sh951.8 million in advance payment and the completion date having been extended by 37.5 months, which is September 15, 2023.

Appearing before the National Assembly Transport and Infrastructure committee, Namata acting Director General Francis Gitau was taken aback after committee members told him to his face that “we see no value for money in the project unless you really convince us.”

The committee chairman George Kariuki threw the first salvo at Namata when he said that “we are in doubt whether the country has gotten value for the money.”

“There is no reason why we should support your budget unless you really convince us because we are not convinced.” Kariuki said noting that the committee will visit the project to see what the government paid for.

This came even as Gitau pleaded with the committee to see the need of approving funds to complete the project.

“If we plan like European countries using this project, Kenya will be fantastic in terms of easing traffic on the congested roads within the Metropolis.” Gitau noted.

The project as of March 23, 2023, was 55 percent complete of which the government is required to pay Sh1.97 billion for the works done so far, which will bring the government’s entire expenditure on the project to Sh2.9 billion inclusive of the advance payment.

The BRT project has five lines- Ndovu, Simba, Chui, Kifaru and Nyati all interlinked within the Nairobi CBD. Phase I of the entire project involved the 23.7 kilometre Ruiru- Nairobi CBD with Phase II being 3.7 kilometre Nairobi CBD- KNH.

The Nairobi Metropolis has the counties of Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Murang’a. Limuru MP Kiragu Chege wondered why the government was keen to have the Nairobi CBD be the central link of the project when “there is every indication that people are moving away from the city centre.”

“Who are you planning this project for? We see people are trying all they can to avoid the Nairobi CBD. A majority of Kenyans also walk to work places that are not necessarily within the Nairobi CBD,” said Kiragu as he demanded to know how many matatus crews will be rendered jobless by the project.

If the MPs fail to approve the funds to complete the project, the Kenyan government could be easily sued and pay billions of shillings in breach of agreement because it already has contractual obligations with the two Chinese companies.

Line 1 of the project is a 48.5 kilometre stretch gazetted in 2019 and covers Limuru-Kangemi-CBD-Imara Daima-Athi River-Kitengela funded by the Chinese government.

The Simba line is 73.5 kilometers long covering Rongai-Bomas (Langata road). Nairobi CBD- Ruiru- Thika-Kenol and was funded by the government of Kenya with construction works on going.

Chui line is 81.2 kilometres long and has Tala-Njiru-Dandora (Juja road)-Nairobi CBD-Showground (Ngong road)-Ngong and is funded by European Union (EU), African Development Bank (AfDB).

According to Mr Gitau, the designs on the project are complete and already approved.

Line four, which is Kifaru is 30.8 kilometers, covers Mama Lucy Hospital-Donholm (Jogoo road)- Nairobi CBD- T-Mall- Bomas-Karen-Kikuyu.

The Nyati line is 23.9 kilometres and covers Ridgeways (Kiambu road)-Balozi (ALL sops)-Imara Daima and is funded by the Korean government.