In East Africa, as in the rest of the continent, cities are expanding at unprecedented rates and are facing sustained population growth, higher motorization rates, rapidly worsening traffic congestion, and thus decreasing mobility and increasing health problems. But lack of adequate public transport, and unsafe walking and cycling facilities, makes accessibility to jobs, services and other opportunities difficult. Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, loses about $600,000 per day due to traffic congestion, transport is a major contributor to the country’s emissions and air pollution spikes up to 10 times higher than the recommended threshold. In addition, pedestrians account for more than 70% of all road fatalities.

Since 2011, UN-Habitat’s supports cities in East Africa in introducing sustainable and integrated mobility systems to help them reduce traffic congestion, emissions, air and noise pollution and road accidents. UN-Habitat offers a comprehensive package of knowledge, advocacy, and technical assistance to support national governments and local authorities in the development and implementation of sustainable urban mobility systems, such as Bus Rapid Transit.