Kenya Bus Management MD Edwins Mukabanah Calls for Transport Sector Inclusion in Vision 2060

Kenya Bus Management Limited Managing Director Edwins Mukabanah has called for the meaningful engagement and active involvement of transport sector players in the ongoing discourse on Kenya’s Vision 2060, saying those at the heart of the industry must have a voice in shaping the country’s long-term development agenda.

Mukabanah said the success of Vision 2060 will depend not only on the ambition of its targets but also on how effectively the country incorporates the experiences, expertise and proposals of stakeholders who interact with Kenya’s transport system every day.

As Managing Director of Kenya Bus Management Limited, Mukabanah said the transport sector remains a critical engine of the economy, supporting the movement of millions of people, facilitating commerce and connecting communities across the country.

He argued that transport should therefore not be treated merely as an infrastructure issue but as a strategic component of Kenya’s economic transformation.

According to Mukabanah, the Vision 2060 process provides an important opportunity to rethink how Kenya plans, develops and manages its transport systems over the coming decades.

He called for structured and sustained consultations involving public transport operators, logistics companies, freight players, drivers, riders, transport associations, infrastructure agencies, county governments, technology providers and other industry professionals.

“The people who move Kenya must be part of the conversation on the Kenya we want in 2060,” Mukabanah said, stressing that sector players possess practical knowledge that can greatly strengthen national planning.

He noted that transport challenges are often experienced differently on the ground from how they appear in policy documents. Engaging operators and other practitioners, he said, would enable policymakers to understand the realities of public transport operations, passenger needs, infrastructure gaps, safety concerns and the changing demands of a growing population.

Mukabanah said Kenya needs a transport system that is safe, efficient, affordable, reliable and accessible to all citizens.

He urged planners to ensure that Vision 2060 addresses public transport as a key national priority, particularly as urban populations continue to grow and more Kenyans depend on public mobility for work, education, business and essential services.

He further called for greater investment in modern public transport infrastructure and systems that can reduce congestion, improve passenger experience and enhance the efficiency of urban mobility.

The Kenya Bus Management boss also emphasized the need to make road safety a central pillar of the country's long-term transport agenda.

He said development should not be measured simply by the number of roads constructed or vehicles operating on Kenyan roads. The quality and safety of the transport system must also be central measures of progress.

Mukabanah called for stronger investment in driver training, road-user education, enforcement, vehicle standards and modern technologies that can contribute to safer roads.

He also encouraged policymakers to consider the changing nature of the global transport industry.

Technological innovation, electric mobility, digital ticketing, intelligent transport systems, data-driven traffic management and environmentally sustainable vehicles are increasingly shaping the future of mobility.

Kenya, he said, must position itself early enough to benefit from these developments and ensure that its transport industry remains competitive and responsive to future needs.

Mukabanah further highlighted the important role played by the transport sector in employment and livelihoods.

Thousands of Kenyans are directly employed in public transport, while millions more depend on the sector indirectly through trade, manufacturing, logistics, fuel supply, vehicle maintenance, insurance and other related businesses.

He said Vision 2060 should therefore recognize transport not only as a means of moving people and goods but also as a major source of economic opportunity.

He called for policies that promote professionalization, skills development, decent employment and innovation within the industry.

Mukabanah also urged closer cooperation between national and county governments in transport planning.

He observed that mobility does not stop at administrative boundaries and that effective solutions require coordination between different levels of government.

He said integrated planning would help Kenya develop transport networks that connect rural production centres to markets, link towns and cities efficiently and strengthen the country's position as a regional trade and logistics hub.

As Kenya develops Vision 2060, Mukabanah urged stakeholders to avoid a top-down approach and instead create platforms where industry players can contribute ideas, identify challenges and propose practical solutions.

He said consultation should go beyond simply collecting views and should ensure that useful recommendations are reflected in the final national blueprint.

For Kenya Bus Management Limited, he noted, the future of public transport must be guided by a clear understanding of what passengers need and what operators require to provide safe and reliable services.

Mukabanah believes that a successful Vision 2060 must be a shared national project, with every sector contributing to the country's long-term aspirations.

He therefore encouraged transport sector players to participate actively in the national conversation and bring forward bold, practical and innovative ideas.

He said Kenya has an opportunity to build a transport system that can support economic growth, improve quality of life and strengthen national connectivity for generations to come.

His message is clear: the transport sector cannot be an afterthought in Vision 2060. It must be part of the planning, part of the conversation and part of the implementation.

With meaningful stakeholder participation, Mukabanah said, Vision 2060 can become more than a long-term policy document—it can become a practical roadmap towards a more connected, productive and prosperous Kenya.