Policy Brief No. 18 of 2006 on Organizing Urban Road Public Transport in Nairobi City

Abstract

The prevailing transport system in Nairobi has been largely shaped by population pressure and urban structure. The current profile of urbanization has in turn been shaped by influences of geographical, historical and contemporary forces. There has not been proper urban planning. Many of the current transport problems in Nairobi can be attributed to the high population growth rate, low vehicle capacities, high energy costs, poor utilization of infrastructural facilities, location of high density residential areas, lack of road and vehicle infrastructure development and maintenance, poor road safety, and lack of organised public transport, among others. Presently, the city of Nairobi is operating without a development plan, as the 1973's