City roads to be closed for nine hours on Friday

Harambee Avenue, City Hall Way, Taifa Road and Mama Ngina Street will remain closed on Friday as the Government conducts a pilot project for the recently proposed car free days aimed at decongesting Nairobi.

This is even as the first BRT bus is expected to arrive in the country within the next two weeks.

Transport Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia Tuesday revealed that the roads will be closed on February 1 (Friday) between 8am and 4pm in order to free up space for residents to walk as well as allow traders to set up shop to sell their wares.

Macharia said that the pilot project, which is expected to continue for the next few weeks, would only affect a small area of the Central Business District but if successful would be extended to Moi Avenue, University way Haile Selassie and Uhuru Highway.

“The purpose of this exercise is to see how we can start freeing up the CBD so that it is easier moving in and out. Our objective is to discourage people from using their vehicles so if you can leave your vehicle at home the better but if you have to come to the City, once we implement the initiative there will be designated parking areas at the periphery of the City,” stated Macharia.

The CS who was speaking during an interview with KTN emphasised that any form of a motor vehicle including Boda bodas, Tuk Tuks and bicycles will not be allowed on the designated streets to allow for citizens to shop freely saying that the government would not provide alternative designated parking spots.

“The pilot project is expected to go on for a few weeks but if it goes so well we will move on to the next phase as quickly as possible. We will also be moving to satellite towns such as Westlands and Upper Hill to introduce the same concept because they too have the same problems experienced in the CBD,” added Macharia.

On Monday, the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) announced that the City would have two car free days in a week namely, Wednesday and Saturday. This is expected to create 10,000 jobs for traders who were previously scattered and engaged in frequent run-ins with the county authorities.

CS Macharia observed that the Government was already working with banks and other financial institutions which would provide the ‘Vibandas’ from which the traders would operate.

“The plan will not only create order and income for our traders but will also reduce carbon emissions in the city. The car free days will also ensure that people adapt other measures such as sharing of vehicles to reduce congestion,” he said.  

Transport PS Paul Maringa said there will be dedicated parking in Uhuru Park and Railways as no car will be allowed within the CBD during these two days.

Maringa said this will generate Sh39.5 million daily revenue to the Government from over 100,000 hawkers.

The announcement came as the CS highlighted that the first BRT bus would arrive in the country in two weeks’ time.  He said that it would be parked at Uhuru Park to psychologically prepare people of what to expect.

The first lot of 64 buses is ready for shipping from South Africa with the much-awaited Bus Rapid Transit expected to be commissioned next month. The buses have two doors at the right side, driver control safety gadgets and will use electronic fare payment systems.

Meanwhile, Matatu Owners association chairman Kimutai has urged the Government to provide an alternative plan for motorists during the car free days. 

He was concerned that come Wednesday, there would be a lot of confusion that would lead to traffic snarl ups and urged the Government to give more information pertaining to the car free days. He also reassured Matatu operators that their operations would not be affected for the time being, since the area covered by the pilot project was not their area of operation.