The project approved during former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration was meant to introduce a modern GIS platform to manage Nairobi’s transport data and ease the city’s chronic traffic congestion.
According to the National Treasury’s latest Energy, Infrastructure, and ICT Sector Working Group Report, the project stalled after shifts in U.S. foreign aid policy under the Trump administration, forcing Kenya to halt several components of the kilometre-wide multimodal transport system.
Of the Ksh7.76 billion earmarked for the project, the United States was expected to contribute Ksh5.8 billion, while Kenya was set to add Ksh1.56 billion.
However, the GIS platform stands at only 30 per cent completion, and several zoning and policy guidelines expected under the Nairobi Metropolitan Area (NMA) plan remain unimplemented.
In his message to Washington, President Ruto expressed disappointment over the cancellation but maintained Kenya’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
He urged the U.S. to reconsider withdrawing support from projects that directly affect millions of Kenyans.
“Partnerships must be guided by long-term stability and mutual benefit,” Ruto stated, adding that Kenya would continue exploring diplomatic avenues to salvage the initiative and protect collaborative programmes signed in sectors such as transport, climate, education, and trade.
The cancellation adds to a growing list of disrupted agreements since Trump took office, including the imposition of new trade tariffs and adjustments to USAID programmes.
Treasury officials say the stalled project may be revived under NaMATA in the next financial year if external funding issues are resolved.
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