This is in an effort to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. 

“We want to lead from the front when it comes to the fight against climate change. We have an opportunity to move from rhetoric to actualizing this aspiration,” Housing and Urban Development PS Charles Hinga was quoted by the Business Daily as saying.

As such, only electric and select hybrid vehicles which use both electric and fossil fuel, and those that use biofuels like hydrogen and biogas, will be allowed on the special bus lane which seeks to ease traffic congestion in the city.

The BRT lanes are set to be launched from June, starting with Thika and Mombasa Roads.

According to PS Hinga, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Likoni road as well as the James Gichuru-Rironi and Bomas to Ruiru roads are also on high priority. 

Other motorways the government seeks to roll out the high-capacity buses are Ngong Road, Juja, Mama Lucy, T-Mall and Balozi to Imara.

The Ministry of Transport has already opened bidding for companies interested in the BRT contracts which will last up to 12 years.

“The buses are to be considered in three options based on propulsion technology: biodiesel, hybrid, electric and the options for sale or a proposed lease tenure covering a three, seven and 12 years period,” reads a Tuesday notice by the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.