JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY (JICA) KENYA OFFICE AND NAIROBI METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSPORT AGENCY (NAMATA) LAUNCH PILOT PUBLIC BUS OPERATION ON NGONG ROAD, ROUTE 111

The Route 111 Pilot project was launched on Friday,11^th April 2025 at Pioneer Moi Avenue-pilot bus terminus. The multi-agency meeting brought together different Government of Kenya Agencies led by Mr. Mohamed Dhagar, Principal Secretary State Department for Transport, the Ministry of Road and Transport.

In attendance were representatives from State Department for Transport, Director General, NaMATA, Representatives from Nairobi County, Kajiado County, National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), National Police Service, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA). Heads of the pilot project operators from Enabled, Super metro, Metro Trans, NTVRS, Nangkis, MCA, Ngokana, Latema, Raj Safaris, enumerators, stage managers, drivers, and conductors.
For one month (until 2nd May 2025), this private-public collaboration will have provided 1) Reliable 2) Safe 3) Comfortable and 4) Scheduled services with facility improvement, fixed fare, safety and scheduled operation, and gender mainstreaming, based on the training to the drivers and conductors. The project team will implement the customer satisfaction survey and financial analysis in the pilot project and reflect the results into the future improvement of public transport system.
In his speech, JICA Chief Representative Shinkawa Makoto explained the background of the pilot project. He explained that JICA’s aim in transportation is to create a society where people can move freely and safely. He gave the history of JICA’s support in Nairobi. JICA developed a masterplan for Nairobi transportation in 2006 and further prepared the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN) 2014 which is a spatial broad framework.

Guided by NIUPLAN, JICA has invested in expanding critical infrastructure, including the Ngong Road and Western Ring Road. We have also collaborated with Kenyan road agencies for over a decade to establish a sustainable road maintenance program. In 2019, we conducted a comprehensive study on enhancing road safety within the Matatu industry, which directly informed the development of this pilot project. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to the creation of an integrated public transport system that serves the needs of all Nairobians.

JICA will continue to value the collaboration with the Government of Kenya in strengthening the safe and reliable systems for public transport as well as in the social and economic areas.