Matatus to be kicked out of Nairobi CBD in two months

Indiscipline among drivers of Public Service Vehicles is one of the major causes of congestion on Nairobi roads; this according to Nairobi County Executive for Roads, Infrastructure and Transport Mohammed Dagane.

Mr. Dagane however says that plans are still underway to decongest the city by prohibiting PSVs from accessing the Central Business District, a move that may well come into play in the next two months.

“We have already constructed nine termini in various parts outside the CBD such as Murang’a Road, Park Road, Ngara, Railways, Hakati, Muthurwa and the Machakos Country Bus Station among others,” says Dagane.

He however adds that the project is yet to be completed, blaming the delay on the failure by the former county administration to pay the contractors.

“We have embarked on plans to ensure that the contractors are paid and we become the owners of those termini. Currently we were able to take over about seven of them even as some few things are yet to be finalised. But as soon as we are done paying them in about a month or two, we will be good to go.”

He has also assured that they will reign on cartels that exist within the transport and roads sector.

Boda boda Operators

According to the County Executive, boda boda operators are a menace and they are looking at ways in which they too can be cleared from the Central Business District, saying it is a hurdle they are determined to clear.

“We are trying to regulate this industry and remove them from the CBD. You will find that these operators do not obey the traffic rules and even go against the flow of traffic and this also poses a risk to their pillion passengers,” he says.

In order to rid Nairobi City of the seemingly permanent traffic congestion, the Roads CEC says that together with the National Government and donors, the county government will establish a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system that will enable make movement of people, a reality within the next two or three years.

On the issue of poor road networks, Mr. Dagane says that they inherited the problem and are looking for ways to finally return the city to its lost glory.

According to him, Kidero’s government tendered the construction of roads of up to Ksh.4.9 billion but only received Ksh.1.2 billion worth of roads.

“You can imagine the extent of uncompleted road works that exist in this county. However, when we took office, we met the contractors and assured them that they will be paid, a move that has seen at least 26 contractors return to finish their projects,” says Dagane.