KURA Opens Bids for KSh10 Billion Intelligent Traffic System Targeting 60 Nairobi Junctions

The Kenya Urban Roads Authority has issued a formal call for bids on a major infrastructure upgrade designed to tackle Nairobi’s long-standing traffic problems. The project, known as the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System Establishment and Junctions Improvement Project Phase II, is funded through a loan from South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund.

According to the specific procurement notice, the contract carries a value of USD 83,834,000. This equates to roughly KSh10 billion at current exchange rates. The works focus on improving traffic flow across the capital through targeted engineering and technology interventions.

Sixty junctions will undergo improvement and upgrade. The scope includes installation of traffic signal systems configured to meet adequate capacity for demand. Variable message signs, vehicle detectors, and CCTV cameras form part of the intelligent transport package. Additional elements cover enforcement systems, street lights, and related equipment.

One new bridge will be constructed while two existing bridges receive extensions. The selected contractor must also handle training and skills transfer to local teams during the post-construction warranty period. The entire civil works and installation phase is expected to take thirty months from commencement.

Bidding will follow competitive procedures under the guidelines for Korean loans. Only eligible bidders with the required nationality conditions can participate. Documents are available from KURA’s offices at Barabara Plaza in Nairobi, with a mandatory pre-tender site visit scheduled for 23rd June 2026.

Interested firms must submit sealed bids by 4th August 2026. Each bid requires a security of USD 1 million. The procurement notice outlines detailed payment instructions, bank account details for document purchase, and the opening process at KURA’s meeting room.

This latest tender builds on ongoing efforts to modernise Nairobi’s road network. Traffic congestion remains a daily challenge for commuters, businesses, and freight movement in the East African economic hub. Previous phases and related urban road projects have introduced basic signal improvements, but Phase II aims for a more comprehensive system.

The project executing agency is KURA, operating under the Ministry of Roads and Transport. The authority has set clear timelines for design review, construction, and operational handover. Four years of post-completion support are required to ensure sustainable performance and maintenance capacity.

Contractors will need to demonstrate capability in both civil engineering and intelligent transport technologies. The notice specifies requirements for traffic signal demand-responsive systems, video monitoring, and variable messaging capabilities. Integration with existing infrastructure is expected to be seamless.

Site visits are compulsory for registration. Bidders will assemble at the KURA Children’s Traffic Park along Nyere Road. The pre-bid conference follows on 2nd July 2026. Strict adherence to submission rules is mandatory, with late bids rejected outright.

The initiative comes as Nairobi continues to expand its urban mobility solutions. With funding secured from the Export-Import Bank of Korea through EDCF, the project reflects continued bilateral cooperation in Kenya’s transport sector. Successful implementation could set a benchmark for similar systems in other Kenyan cities facing similar pressures.

KURA has urged potential bidders to regularly check its website for any addenda or clarifications before the deadline. The authority emphasised that canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. This tender represents a significant opportunity for firms with expertise in smart traffic infrastructure.