Korea to construct a BRT line from Nairobi CBD to JKIA

Nairobi’s transport landscape is set for a shift following a formal commitment by South Korea to finance and oversee the construction of Bus Rapid Transit Line 5. The project, which establishes a high-capacity transit link between the Central Business District and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, is moving into its final administrative phases.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed the development this week after a meeting with the South Korean Ambassador to Kenya, Kang Hyung-shik. The Governor noted that the project is currently in the final approval stages at the National Treasury. This progression aims to resolve the funding and planning delays that have slowed the implementation of Nairobi's broader mass transit network since 2018.

The infrastructure work is supported by a Sh7.6 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund framework. Under the terms of the financing agreement, the project is restricted to Korean contractors. The Kenya Urban Roads Authority has already moved to invite bids for the commencement of the works, which are expected to take approximately 24 months to complete once a contractor is on-site.

Technically referred to as the "Nyati" line in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority master plan, the corridor will feature a 10.5-kilometre dedicated two-lane stretch. The scope of work is extensive, involving the construction of 13 BRT stations and a 1,365-square-metre bus depot. Engineering requirements also include the building of three river bridges and two overpass bridges to ensure the dedicated lanes remain insulated from standard vehicular traffic.

To accommodate the new transit system, existing infrastructure along the route will undergo modification. This includes the retrofitting of footbridges and the installation of a drainage system specifically for the BRT corridor. Landscaping and street lighting upgrades are also factored into the project budget to ensure the safety and utility of the stations during night operations.

Upon completion, Line 5 will operate 30 high-capacity buses. Estimates suggest the system will move an average of 4,200 passengers per hour in each direction during peak travel times. The primary objective is to offer a reliable, lower-cost alternative to the Nairobi Expressway and the often-congested Mombasa Road, benefiting airport staff, daily commuters, and international travelers.

Beyond the physical roadworks, the partnership includes the integration of a smart traffic management system. Samsung Construction is expected to lead the digital side of the project, which involves automated traffic light controls and the establishment of an Integrated Transport System headquarters. This facility will coordinate signals across dozens of junctions to optimize traffic flow throughout the city.

The collaboration comes as South Korea prepares to establish a permanent mission in Nairobi’s Lavington area. This diplomatic move is viewed as a sign of deepening ties between the two nations, particularly in the sectors of infrastructure and technology. For Nairobi, the successful delivery of Line 5 is critical to the government’s goal of reducing urban greenhouse gas emissions and modernizing a public transport sector that has long relied on informal networks.