The Kenyan government is preparing a major shift in how Nairobi traffic is managed, with the Treasury setting aside Sh1.18 billion to accelerate the rollout of AI-powered traffic lights and smart surveillance systems across the capital.
The funding, captured in budget estimates tabled before the National Assembly, will go toward the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Phase III, a high-tech traffic management project designed to reduce congestion, shorten commute times, and cut reliance on police officers manually directing traffic at busy junctions.
🔹 Budget allocation jumps nearly 10 times
The latest allocation marks a massive increase from the current Sh116.1 million budget, signaling the government’s push to fast-track smart traffic infrastructure in Nairobi.
🔹 AI traffic lights to control flow automatically
Under the project, intelligent traffic lights will use artificial intelligence and road sensors to analyze congestion levels in real time and automatically adjust signal timings.
Officials say the system will help reduce long traffic queues that currently cripple Nairobi during peak hours.
🔹 Smart cameras to detect traffic violations
The rollout will also introduce advanced surveillance cameras capable of:
- Detecting red-light violations
- Reading number plates automatically
- Monitoring speeding
- Tracking illegal turns and lane misuse
- Checking helmet compliance among boda boda riders
The cameras will transmit live data to a centralized command center at City Cabanas along Mombasa Road.
🔹 125 Nairobi junctions targeted
The third phase of the ITS project is expected to cover approximately 125 intersections across Nairobi.
Some of the major congestion hotspots expected to benefit include:
- Moi Avenue – Kenyatta Avenue
- Koinange Street – Kenyatta Avenue
- Raila Odinga Way – Lang’ata Road
- Limuru Road – Muthaiga Road
These junctions are among Nairobi’s worst bottlenecks during rush hour.
🔹 Government aims to reduce police deployment at junctions
Authorities say automation will significantly reduce the need for police officers to physically manage traffic at intersections.
Instead, traffic flow decisions will be made remotely through the central traffic management system.
🔹 Multi-billion smart traffic project backed by foreign financing
Part of the financing for the broader smart transport system is coming from a $185 million (approximately Sh23.9 billion) concessional loan signed between Kenya and China’s Export-Import Bank in late 2025.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) is overseeing implementation of the project.
🔹 Nairobi targeting full smart traffic rollout by 2029
Government projections indicate:
- 20% completion targeted in FY 2026/27
- 50% completion expected in FY 2027/28
- Full completion planned by FY 2028/29
Treasury estimates show the government could spend more than Sh5.3 billion on the ITS expansion over the next three years.
🚘 Why this matters for Nairobi commuters
If fully implemented, the AI-powered traffic system could:
- Reduce time wasted in gridlock
- Improve traffic coordination during peak hours
- Cut fuel wastage
- Improve emergency response times
- Reduce manual traffic enforcement
- Support Nairobi’s broader smart city ambitions
The move also aligns with Kenya’s wider transport modernization plans under integrated urban mobility reforms.
