Infrastructure

Kenya to Build Sh183bn Bicycle Lanes, Walkways

The project seeks to improve road safety while promoting green mobility.

Updated on

April 5, 2023

Kenya will spend Sh182 billion in five years to construct walkways and bicycle lanes on public roads countrywide to improve road safety and promote green mobility, according to proposals outlined in a new bill.

The Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill 2023, sponsored by Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, suggests building lanes adjacent to all tarmac roads nationwide specifically for use by non-motorized transport.

The bill further requires all public roads to have marked lanes or walkways for exclusive use by pedestrians with signs labeling them as non-motorised zones.

The Bill, which has already been approved by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), seeks to amend the Kenya Roads Act, 2007.

A letter from the PBO to the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) said the cost of implementing the non-motorised transport plan has been spread over five years with annual inflation at 5%.

Sh30.56 billion

A total of Sh30.56 billion will be used in the first year of operation, Sh35.29 billion in the second year, Sh37.06 billion in the third year, Sh38.9 billion in the fourth year, and Sh40.86 billion in the fifth year.

The cost of building a kilometre of non-motorised facilities on both sides of the road is about Sh10 million, according to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.

The cost of maintenance is about Sh1 million per kilometre.

Currently, the total length of tarmac roads in Kenya is 21,826 kilometres of which 70% do not have non-motorised facilities.

Ms. Lesuuda told the BAC that implementation of the non-motorised transport plan will lower the number of accidents involving non-motorised road users.

Green mobility

“This Bill aims at providing dedicated lanes separate from motor vehicle lanes. Its implementation will promote green mobility by minimising vehicle congestion, road accidents as well as the air and noise pollution from vehicles,” she said.

Data from the Economic Survey 2022 shows that 1,557 pedestrian deaths were recorded in 2021, accounting for 34% of all accident deaths in the country.

“The cost [of implementing the plan] may be high but if you look at the number of Kenyans who have died on the roads, it is worth it,” Ms Lesuuda added.