Traffic Costs Nairobi $746,000 Per Day

The Kenyan capital of Nairobi is struggling with crippling car congestion — a problems some say is so bad the country should consider transferring its capital to another city.

“Once known as East Africa’s green “City in the Sun”, Nairobi is so choked with traffic that Kenya’s architects suggest moving to a new capital and angry business leaders say the booming economy is under threat.”

“A combination of bad drivers, ramshackle vehicles, overloaded trucks, potholed roads and corrupt traffic police make one of Africa’s biggest cities resemble the dodgems on a good day and, when things get really bad, reduce it to gridlock.”

“Kenya’s crumbling roads and the chaotic traffic have become a political issue ahead of elections in December, denting the popularity of President Mwai Kibaki.”

“A recent survey said traffic jams were costing Nairobi drivers up to 50-million shillings (R5,2-million, $746 000) a day through increased fuel consumption, mechanical damage and pollution.”

Full Story: Kenya’s ‘City in the Sun’ chokes with traffic

Source: Mail & Guardian, September 24, 2007

Photo Credit: A man sits on the bed of a pickup truck during one of of Nairobi’s regular traffic jams along Uhuru Highway.