Kenya (Commonwealth Union) _To enhance urban connections and smooth the transition to e-mobility, the Kenyan government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) have signed a Sh8.7 billion second threshold program agreement. On the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the agreement was signed.
Ruto stated, “For us, mobility in Nairobi is crucial. The city has 5 million daytime residents and 4 million nighttime residents, which equals 1 million daily visitors who put a considerable strain on the infrastructure. The bus transportation system is a crucial part. Today’s signing ceremony represents a significant turning point in Kenya and the United States’ expanding partnership.”
The cash is intended to help environmentally friendly buses for Nairobi’s upcoming BRT network, which will reduce traffic congestion. The award, according to MCC Chief Executive Officer Alice Bright, is one of the “largest and most ambitious threshold programs” the company has ever provided with a partner nation. “It is yet another symbol of the long-standing relationship between our two countries and reflects MCC’s confidence in Kenya to address its own challenges to economic growth,” she added.
MCC is an independent U.S. government organization that supports nations with high standards for good governance with time-limited funds and assistance in an effort to decrease global poverty through economic growth.
Kenya’s effort to make the switch to e-mobility and reduce traffic in the Nairobi metropolitan area has been significantly strengthened as a result of the signing of a Sh8.7 billion contract with a US company.
The money will be used to purchase electric buses that will run on line 2 of the local bus rapid transit (BRT). The signing of the contract with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was witnessed by President William Ruto, who is now on an official visit to the US. The monies are being made available as part of the Second Threshold Program, which aims to increase urban connectivity and foster national economic development.
According to a statement on the US embassy website, Ruto said, “Today’s signing ceremony marks an exciting milestone in the growing partnership between Kenya and the United States.”
The grant to Kenya was described as the largest and one of the most ambitious threshold programs that MCC has ever carried out with a partner nation by MCC CEO Alice Bright. “It is yet another symbol of the long-standing relationship between our two countries and reflects MCC’s confidence in Kenya to address its own challenges to economic growth,” she added.
MCC is an autonomous US government organization dedicated to eradicating poverty through economic development. MCC was founded in 2004 and offers time-limited funds and support to nations that adhere to strict standards for democratic rights, anti-corruption efforts, and good governance.
Grants provided through MCC threshold programs enable partner nations to demonstrate their dedication to democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their people.
By doing this, partner nations concentrate their efforts and assistance on addressing barriers to economic progress. The vast majority of the nation’s public transportation system is made up of the approximately 100,000 matatus (minibuses).
Kenya Bus Services, once the biggest bus business in Kenya, encountered financial difficulties and had to cut back on the number of buses it operated. Although newer, smaller city buses with improved standards of comfort and safety have been introduced on several inner-city routes, they are still operating minibuses in Nairobi.
The issue might be resolved with electric buses. Bhattacharya is currently the chief executive officer and co-founder of BasiGo, a mobility startup vying to electrify the city’s buses. The business is not by itself. Roam, a Swedish-Kenyan electric vehicle manufacturer, is also interested in Nairobi’s public transport system.
