Nairobi Transport Causes 40% Pollution, Plans E-Bus Shift Underway
Nairobi’s urban transport sector accounts for nearly 40% of the city’s air pollution, primarily due to outdated vehicle fleets and inadequate infrastructure. As Kenya’s capital grapples with gridlock and rising health risks, authorities have unveiled ambitious plans to overhaul its public transit systems. With the support of international financing and policy shifts favouring electric mobility, Nairobi is seeking to reverse decades of neglect by modernising roads, reducing emissions, and adopting cleaner, more sustainable transport modes.
According to clean air advocates, the most harmful emissions in Nairobi — notably PM2.5 particles — originate from the city’s ageing vehicle fleets and substandard road networks. While just 12.8% of Nairobi residents own personal vehicles, roughly 70% depend on public transit, with a significant share using non-motorised transport like walking and cycling. Yet congestion remains a persistent problem, making Nairobi one of the most gridlocked cities globally. Poor vehicle emission enforcement and infrastructure deficits exacerbate this situation, posing major public health risks. In response, the Nairobi Urban Integrated Development Master Plan (NUIPLAN) has outlined a comprehensive overhaul of the city’s transport systems. This includes a focus on electrification, better road design, and increased public transit options. In 2023, a €348 million agreement with the European Commission advanced plans for East Africa’s first electric bus rapid transit system — a cornerstone of Nairobi’s clean mobility transition and a signal of shifting priorities.
To complement international efforts, authorities in June 2025 proposed an investment of KSh217.3 billion ($1.68 billion USD) to strengthen Kenya’s transport sector. The proposed budget focuses on road maintenance, infrastructure expansion, and emissions reduction through electrification and clean energy deployment. The strategy forms part of a larger national transition toward renewable-powered mobility and urban decongestion. Experts argue that the scale of Nairobi’s air pollution demands urgent systemic change, not just in emissions control but also in rethinking urban design and accessibility. The move toward electric buses — if scaled appropriately — could drastically reduce carbon output and improve air quality, especially for low-income communities relying on shared transit. Despite challenges like energy access and implementation logistics, the city’s long-term focus on renewables and mobility equity offers a model for other African cities facing similar pressures. Authorities believe this will enhance not only health outcomes but also economic growth and digital productivity.
Nairobi’s journey from pollution-laden roads to clean, electric public transport is just beginning, but the signals are clear: the city is ready to embrace a sustainable future. Backed by global financing and national policy shifts, Nairobi’s efforts to transition to electric mobility could not only reduce air pollution by a significant margin but also improve access and efficiency in its congested streets. As a rising East African hub with a fast-growing digital economy, the city’s investments in transport infrastructure could pave the way for climate-smart urban development across the region — aligning health, equity, and environmental goals.
