Project News

Samsung to Build Sh7.9bn Traffic System for Nairobi

The signalised system is expected to see traffic flow in multiple directions.

Updated on

March 16, 2025

Cars trapped in a traffic jam. PHOTO | FILE

Samsung Construction and Trading Corporation is scheduled to begin constructing an intelligent traffic management system in Nairobi to ease congestion on the city’s roads.

This follows the signing of a Sh7.9 billion ($61 million) contract with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) in November last year for the execution of the first phase of the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System Establishment and Junction Improvement Project.

The South Korean construction and engineering company won the international tender for the project, which was floated by KURA—the state agency overseeing the project—in 2023.

The scope of work for the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (ITS) project involves construction of the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) building at City Cabanas, Mombasa Road, and the installation of smart traffic control systems in 25 major junctions.

It will also include the installation of intelligent field equipment, such as traffic signals, signal controllers, intersection surveillance cameras, vehicle enforcement systems, and a communication network.

The Nairobi ITS project will involve the expansion and modification of key junctions in Nairobi, including Moi Avenue/Kenyatta Avenue, Koinange/Kenyatta Avenue, Mbagathi Way/Lang’ata Road, and Limuru Road/Muthaiga Road, among others.

The project, financed by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund through the Export-Import Bank of Korea, is expected to start this month and end by February 2027.

Speaking at the contract signing ceremony, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir directed Samsung and KURA to expedite the project’s implementation.

“I urge you to amortise the cameras and related infrastructure to ensure they serve the country for many years to come. The system you install should allow for smooth feed-in to future technology and additions,” Chirchir said.

An Intelligent Transport System uses artificial intelligence to control urban traffic. It utilises smart cameras, variable timing traffic lights, and a control centre to monitor and control traffic, thereby easing the burden on traffic police officers.

The system is able to study traffic flow data in real time, thus allowing longer traffic flow on roads with more traffic, hence minimising waiting time.

The design of the TMC was completed in January 2021, and preparations for the groundbreaking were underway on the 10-acre site at City Canabas.

The TMC will be a multi-storey building housing key stakeholders in Nairobi’s traffic management, including police, engineers, and specialists monitoring real-time traffic data.

After completion of the initial phase, Kura will launch the second phase of the project involving junction improvement and installation of ITS facilities for 81 intersections.