IDS hosts the network.
The Kenya Transport Research Network (KTRN) was formed in May 2015 after the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) long engagement with transport issues with the support of development partners. Of particular mention are the FIA Foundation and the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) that funded the IDS to provide support to the Ministry of transport and to be part of a consortium of three African universities establishing the African Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Studies in Public and Non-Motorised Transport (ACET), respectively. The long term engagement with researchers, policymakers and practitioners revealed a gap in transport research and practice in Africa. Transport challenges, in particular public transport, were increasing in the midst of rapid urban growth, while there were few scholars working on transport issues. This triggered the need to attract more scholars, policymakers and practitioners into transport research, dissemination and dialogue through a network.
Project contacts
Donor / Funded by
The FIA Foundation and the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF)
While the idea of having a knowledge-sharing platform lived with the IDS for many years, the actual realization came through a collaboration of IDS and Columbia University in a VREF funded project on ‘Re-imagining Nairobi: A policy network approach.’ One of the goals of the project included developing a strong transport research network in Kenya and providing a forum for the dissemination of research outputs and the exchange of ideas. This idea was well received by the transport fraternity and continue to thrive with the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) of the University of Nairobi (UoN) as the hosting institution.