As we aspire to register constant 10%+ growth rates, a major plank of achieving this will be an integrated transport policy that looks at developing all the key arteries of our economy:
Roads: Mainly targeting built-up urban areas. At peak times, it can take 3hours+ to get in and out of Nairobi a city of circa 3m people (this is similar to London a larger city by land mass and population (8m). Bypasses (as already proposed) could help reduce this by 20%. Wider approach roads into NBI, Mombasa and wider throughroads for growing towns e.g. Eldoret, Nakuru could work to increase traffic flow. Betterbuilt roads coupled with more frequent maintainance could give us cheaper roads. Finally, heavy good vehicles should economically be encouraged to move their wares onto...
Railway: China is using rail network to both open up and link its economy within and outside to the rest of Asia, but also because its a recognised cheaper mode of transport especially for freight goods. Goods to Mombasa that now take upto 12 hours from Nairobi and much longer to Busia would take as low as 4 hours on a modernised rail track. The track is already there all the way to Uganda and just needs the modernisation of the trains. Trains could also play a role in reducing road traffic in Nairobi with links to Thika (and areas in between). RVR should consider issuing long-held convertible bonds to finance both the relaying or repair of tracks and leasing modern trains. Once freight goods reach Mombasa, they will require a well-functioning
Port: With a growing economy surrounded by similarly growing but landlocked neighbours, there is no excuse for KPA not to aggressively plan and institute a 24 hour port to able to increase capacity with the growing economy. Alongside this should be an efficient and corruption free customs clearance. Given its profitability, GoK should consider floating a portion of KPA at NSE with the intention to use the funds to develop and equip the port for the future.
3 comments:
Their is a talk of a marshall plan on the infrastructure by one of the leading presidential candidate which i think would go a long way in resolving the current grid-lock and astronomical road accidents but then the great idea lacks details.
JM-Is he going to become president? Seriuosly though, that might work, but we do need to realise situtations like where we have a drought in North Eastern, but have to bring yellow maize from US when maize farmers in Webuye are complaining about low prices should be a thing of the past. We need transport infrastructure that allows perishable goods to reach Mombasa from Busia in 6-7 hours!
Just remembered about 3 years ago their was talk of a German company building a rail link between Juba(Sudan) and mombasa via nakuru in order to open up the northern frontier. wonder what happened to the idea as i never heard of it anymore. Researched for updates but could not find any information site nor person responsible at the ministry of transport.
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