Unlawful bus stops on highways put lives in danger

Matatus have a tendency of creating illegal bus stops on highways thus endangering the lives of other motorists and pedestrians.

Nairobi Traffic Commandant Leonard Katana said most public service vehicles plying Mombasa Road were notorious for this.

Katana said the trend is common near Nyayo Stadium, and warned PSV operators against picking passengers from footpaths.

“If there is no county sign of a bus stop, then that is not a stage. So, any matatu picking or dropping passengers at the place is contravening the law,” he said.

Katana added the traffic situation may not be as desired but motorists have become more compliant, with increased police vigilance and improved road network.

He, however, noted that traffic on city highways had been worsened by designated stages being far away from each other.

“For instance, from Lusaka Road roundabout, the next stage is at Shell, then General Motors. So what should happen to people living around Airtel?” he posed. “This is not a police issue per se... all stakeholders including the county have to be involved,” he added.

The officer also noted most PSVs shun designated bus stops to block service lanes and roundabouts, especially in Githurai. For instance in Ngara, the presence of hawkers on service lanes worsens the situation.

 Damaged barriers

As you approach Ngara, you will notice hawkers displaying their wares, including clothes, shoes, fruits and vegetables, by the road side. At Roisambu and Githurai 45, they have taken over footpaths.

Some argue the design of the highway did not take into consideration safe passage ways for pedestrians and the available little space is crowded by hawkers and boda boda operators.

Agnes Njeri, a resident, said she has twice almost been hit by a motorbike, and had to step on someone’s merchandise when it honked close to her.

Human interference along the Thika Superhighway is also another major problem.

Early into its completion in 2012, it was reported that road signs, guardrails, meter boxes and parts of street lighting poles were being stolen from the superhighway.

As you approach Ngara, you will notice damaged barriers to create shortcuts even with a foot bridge a few metres away. In other instances, the barriers are stolen and sold as scrap metal.

Rainy seasons are also a nightmare for road users, who have to use alternate routes due to flooding attributed to poor drainage during construction.