Principal Secretary, State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, held talks with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA,) focusing on Nairobi’s growing transport crisis and the need for infrastructure interventions to ease congestion in the capital.

According to a statement on his X account posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Omollo Held a consultative meeting with a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), led by the Chief Representative, Shinkawa Makoto and Deputy Chief Representative, Satoshi Hamano.

The meeting, he noted, centred on strengthening Kenya’s collaboration with JICA, with a clear focus on projects taking shape in Nairobi.

“Our discussions centred on deepening collaboration between Kenya and JICA, with particular emphasis on ongoing and upcoming projects in Nairobi,” he said.

Omollo highlighted that one of the main priorities of the talks was addressing the transport challenges that continue to slow mobility across the city. He emphasised that congestion remains a key hurdle in Nairobi’s rapid growth and requires deliberate solutions.

“A key focus area was transport infrastructure development, which remains critical to improving mobility, easing congestion and supporting the Capital’s rapid urban growth,” Omollo said.

The PS framed the engagement as part of Kenya’s broader commitment to working with global partners in reshaping the country’s infrastructure network. In his words,

“This engagement reaffirms our shared commitment to leveraging strategic international partnerships to accelerate Kenya’s infrastructure transformation agenda for the benefit of our people.” he added

The consultative meeting comes as Nairobi grapples with worsening traffic jams, which cost the economy billions of shillings annually in lost productivity. Past studies have shown that poor road design, rapid urbanisation, and an overdependence on road transport have intensified the gridlock.

JICA has for years been a key partner in Kenya’s development agenda, supporting transport projects such as road expansion, urban planning, and feasibility studies for mass transit systems. By placing Nairobi’s transport bottlenecks at the heart of the talks, Omollo’s meeting with the Japanese agency signals renewed urgency in seeking sustainable solutions for the capital’s mobility crisis.

The discussions also fit into a wider national agenda that ties infrastructure to economic growth. With Nairobi’s population rising and urban sprawl expanding, the pressure on roads, public transport, and related infrastructure has reached a critical point. Strategic interventions, such as those discussed with JICA, are expected to shape the next phase of transport planning for the city.

Omollo’s emphasis on partnerships reflects a recognition that solving Nairobi’s congestion problem requires both domestic reforms and international cooperation.