Babu Owino proposes electric trains to address Nairobi traffic nightmare
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has proposed introducing electric trains as part of a plan to tackle Nairobi’s persistent traffic congestion, saying the hours spent on the roads hurt productivity and the wider economy. Speaking on September 28, 2026, Owino said time is a key factor of production and that delays caused by […]
Babu Owino, an Embakasi East Member of Parliament, has suggested introducing electric trains to alleviate Nairobi's notorious traffic congestion, arguing that the time lost on the road hinders productivity and economic growth. During a September 28, 2026, address, Owino highlighted that time is a crucial element of production, and traffic-induced delays prevent individuals from reaching their destinations and performing effectively. He emphasized that traffic consumes time, and every wasted second negatively impacts the economy.
Owino aimed to address the traffic issue by proposing electric trains along major routes, offering an alternative to road transportation. He mentioned that similar concepts have been implemented in various cities worldwide. Owino suggested vertical train lines, enabling passengers to travel between designated stations. His plan aimed not to eliminate matatus, the popular public transportation vehicles, but to integrate them with the electric train system.
Matatus would transport passengers to train stations, allowing them to continue their journeys by rail.
Key corridors, such as Thika Road and Ngong Road, were highlighted as potential locations for establishing train stations and connections. Owino's proposal aimed to combine electric rail with existing matatu services, rather than replacing the road transport sector entirely. With matatus dropping off passengers at specified points before electric trains took over, the proposal sought to reduce congestion and create busy points that could attract hawkers.
This arrangement could provide informal traders with better access to customers, eliminating the need for confrontations with county enforcement officers.
The MP criticized the treatment of hawkers, emphasizing that many depend on their businesses to pay rent, school fees, and provide for their families. However, his remarks positioned transport infrastructure as a key focus of his campaign as he seeks the Nairobi governorship ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
