Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko suspends ban on matatus accessing CBD

Polycarp Igathe with Mike Sonko (Photo: Courtesy)

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has suspended the ban on matatus accessing the CBD.

According to Sonko, the order that was given on Friday was a pilot project that would ensure school going children and people going to work would be dropped in the CBD without affecting flow of traffic.

Sonko made the move after concerns by the operators during a consultation meeting at City Hall on Monday.

As a temporary measure to address the traffic menace, the governor directed that there shall be strictly no double parking, no obstruction, no unnecessary U-turns, no noise pollution in CBD and no blocking of business premises.

The county government made changes to the omnibus termini and routes within the city.

Routes accessing the CBD from Waiyaki Way, Uhuru Highway, Kipande Road and Limuru road would be stationed at Murang'a Road (Fig Tree) terminus A.

All routes accessing the CBD from Thika Road, Kiambu Road and Ruiru would be at Murang'a Road (Fig Tree) terminus B.

All vehicles using Juja Road, Ring Road and Park Road to access CBD would park at Ngara Road Terminus.

PSVs using Jogoo road and Lusaka road would park at Muthurwa Terminus whereas those from Ngong Road would park at Railway terminus.

Other termini included Desai Service Road Terminus, Park Road Terminus, Hakati Terminus, Machakos terminus and the Central Bus Station.

In May, the county government under former Governor Evans Kidero moved to ban all PSVs from accessing the CBD after it was accused of failing to deal with traffic congestion.

The Matatu Owners Association through its Chair Simon Kimutai, however, indicated that Kidero’s team had not involved them in drafting the regulations.