Wayne Lumbasi
Nairobi’s plan to roll out a modern Bus Rapid Transit system has suffered a major setback after the United States government under President Donald Trump cancelled a transport funding deal valued at more than $50 million. The agreement had been approved during the Biden administration and was intended to support a full upgrade of the capital’s public transport network.
The cancelled package was part of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Threshold Programme that Kenya signed in 2023 and officially launched in 2024.
Under the deal, the United States was to provide about $45 million while Kenya committed roughly $12 million. The combined funding, equivalent to more than KSh 7 billion, was meant to improve mobility across Nairobi by developing BRT corridors, safer pedestrian routes, cycling lanes, and a digital system to manage traffic and transport data.
A significant portion of the programme focused on building a Geographic Information System to guide planning and support the introduction of dedicated BRT lanes linking Rongai, Langata, the central business district, Ruiru, Thika and Kenol. The project included plans for modern buses, improved road markings, surveillance cameras, and integrated cashless ticketing.
By the time the cancellation was announced, the data platform component was already about 30 percent complete. Contractors working on the project had begun receiving payments, and initial groundwork for the BRT network had started. The abrupt withdrawal of funds has now halted progress and raised concerns about the future of the entire system.
Kenya’s Treasury confirmed that the programme has been terminated following a shift in foreign aid priorities under the new United States administration. With the funding removed, several planned works face delays and the implementation of BRT Line Two, also known as the Simba Corridor, is now in doubt.
Government officials are considering moving the project under the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority in an effort to salvage parts of it. However, without alternative financing, Nairobi’s vision for a reliable and efficient rapid transit system is at serious risk.
The cancellation is a blow to the city’s long term transport agenda. The BRT system was expected to reduce traffic congestion, cut pollution, and ease pressure on existing public transport. As authorities explore new funding options, the timeline for delivering a fully functional BRT network remains uncertain.
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