Kenya’s government has announced ambitious plans to transform its capital Nairobi into a buzzing world-class metropolis.

The government said the Nairobi Metro 2030 plan would cost around KShs33 trillion (about US$423billion) to upgrade its infrastructure and develop a modern transport system.

"The government is aware that the success of this plan requires massive resources. This requires a comprehensive funding mechanism. It is therefore my humble appeal to our development partners and the private sector to help realize this dream," said President Mwai Kibaki at the launch.

Under the plans being proposed, the area comprising Nairobi would be more than doubled from the current 40 square kilometres to 100 square kilometres, which would result in some 13 currently independent municipalities becoming a part of the capital.