Kenya: European Commission To Construct Green Bus Rapid Transit In Nairobi

By Samuel Ouma [caption id="attachment_105583" align="alignnone" width="929"] William Ruto (standing), Kipchumba Murkomen and Jutta Urpilainen Signing the deal[/caption] Kenya and the European Commission are in talks for the construction of the first dedicated electric bus rapid lane in East Africa worth EUR 347.6 million. The agreement was reached during a meeting between President William Ruto and President of the European Commission Ursula Von DeLeyen at the European Union Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. President Ruto reiterated Kenya's commitment to a green transition as envisaged in the country’s climate change mitigation plan. “The Green Mobility-Nairobi core bus rapid transit line 3 (BRT 3) will feature zero emission electric buses and will introduce intelligent transport system features, affordable fare setting, inclusion of access to the public transport system for youth, women and low-income households, and addresses traveler safety,” read a statement from State House, Nairobi, in part. Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen signed the agreement. The two leaders also discussed other key areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, climate change adoption, health and technology.