Boda bodas and livestock banned from CBD in bid to lower crime rate

The Nairobi County Government through The Director of Operations at the City Inspectorate Department, Peter Mbaya has banned boda-boda operators from accessing the Central Business District (CBD).

The ban will see boda-bodas ferrying passengers drop them off in areas out of the CBD. According to Mr. Mbaya, the only motorbikes allowed into the city are those with carrier boxes and those offering courier services and have branded boxes.

The ban, which takes effect today on Tuesday, January 23 will is meant to curb the increased crime in the CBD. It is said that criminals use motorbikes to escape after stealing from unaware victims.

In a notice in a local paper, Nairobi County Governor’s office has stated that any operator or passenger found contravening this law will be arrested for an offense punishable by hefty fines and long jail terms.

The notice also informs the public and boda-boda riders that there are no parking spaces for motorbikes in the CBD.

“Pursuant to the provisions of the Traffic Act CAP 403 of 2014 of the Laws of the Republic of Kenya, the Nairobi City County Government wishes to inform all motorcycle (boda-boda) operators ferrying passengers to and from the Central Business District (CBD) that such activities have been banned with immediate effect,” read the notice.

The boda-bodas operate within the city centre and ferry passengers from peripheral termini to the city centre, charging mostly between Ksh 50 to Ksh 100.

Nairobi city zoning regulations show that the Central Business District includes the areas bound by Tom Mboya Street, Uhuru Highway, Haile Selassie Avenue and University Way which means passengers going to this areas will have to find other means.

Caution has also been served to those who graze their livestock in the city as stern action will be taken to them once apprehended.

In November 2015, the County government through County Secretary Gregory Mwakanongo had banned the riders from the CBD

On the same note, Nairobi Regional Commissioner Bernard Leparmarai has informed the public that they are working toward clearing the CBD of hawkers and street families who have slowly crowded the streets.

Lemparmarai, who was in the presence of Nairobi Police Commander Japhet Koome and AP Commandant Francis Mburu said that the street children will be moved to Children homes.

Speaking of hawkers, he assured the public that the police are working with the County Government to remove them and to find out the authenticity of the goods they sell.

“Another menace is that of hawkers and we are working with the county government to ensure we reign on them, also to ensure they are selling genuine products. They might have allowed hawkers in the CBD because they wanted votes. Now the elections are over we are going to clear them off our streets,” he concluded.

These moves come as Nairobians cry foul on the rise of crime in the city with muggers becoming daring and crafty enough to snatch even eyeglasses from passersby.