NAIROBI, Kenya, June 16 — The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has launched an international tender for the second phase of the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (ITS), a major infrastructure initiative aimed at easing traffic congestion and modernising mobility within the capital.
According to a procurement notice published in the latest MyGov publication, the project will be financed through a loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).
The project, officially known as the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Establishment and Junctions Improvement Project – Phase II, has secured funding amounting to $83.8 million (approximately Sh10.8 billion).
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya has received a loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea, from the resources of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Republic of Korea, in the amount of USD 83,834,000 toward payments under the contract for the Design and Build of the Nairobi ITS Establishment and Junctions Improvement Project – Phase II,” the tender notice states.
The second phase builds on the gains made during the initial rollout of the smart transport programme, which introduced intelligent traffic lights and surveillance systems at selected intersections across Nairobi.
Under the new phase, KURA plans to upgrade and improve 60 junctions within the city using advanced traffic management technologies designed to improve traffic flow and enhance road safety.
The project scope includes the installation of 60 traffic signal systems, 60 CCTV surveillance cameras, 13 vehicle detection systems, two variable message signs, and 60 vehicle enforcement systems, alongside supporting street lighting infrastructure.
In addition to the smart traffic technologies, the successful contractor will also be required to construct a one-kilometre bridge, extend two existing bridges, facilitate training and knowledge transfer programmes, and deploy technical experts to support operations and maintenance during the warranty period.
“The contractor shall provide and deploy experts for a period of four years to provide operational support and to assist the employer in achieving sustainable operation and maintenance of the works,” KURA stated.
The authority added that the design-and-build contract will include a 30-month defects liability period following the commissioning and testing of the completed works.
The intelligent transport project forms part of broader government efforts to use technology-driven solutions to tackle Nairobi’s chronic traffic congestion, reduce travel times, improve road safety and enhance urban mobility in one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities.
KURA has invited eligible firms from EDCF member countries to participate in the competitive bidding process.
Interested bidders will be required to submit a bid security of USD 1 million, with tender submissions closing on August 4, 2026, at 10am.
A mandatory pre-tender site visit has been scheduled for June 23, 2026, while a pre-bid meeting will take place on July 2, 2026, at KURA headquarters in Nairobi.
According to the authority, tender documents will be available upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Sh50,000.
“All interested bidders are required to continually check the Kenya Urban Roads Authority website for any tender addenda or clarifications that may arise before the submission date,” KURA said.
Once implemented, the system is expected to improve traffic coordination at major intersections, strengthen enforcement of traffic regulations and provide motorists with real-time travel information.
The government has identified intelligent transport systems as a key strategy in addressing Nairobi’s longstanding congestion crisis, which continues to cost the economy billions of shillings annually through lost productivity, fuel wastage and delays in the movement of goods and people.
