By Abdi Ali
Published January 29, 2019
Plans by the Central Government to ban motor vehicles from accessing the central business district of the capital, Nairobi, has received mixed feelings.
James Macharia, Kenya’s Transport Minister, said on January 28 that the car-free directive that shall see vehicles blocked from the city centre every on Wednesday and Saturdays would come into effect on February 1, 2019.
While some members of the public term the directive as impractical and others have threatened to go to court as the Government didn’t consult as per the constitution that calls for public participation on national issues such as this one.
RELATED:Why Charging African Customers for the Use of the Lavatory is Wrong
Consumers Federation of Kenya has called for public participation in discussions leading to the implementation of the car-free days while William Chepkut, a Member of Parliament, has registered his displeasure on Twitter by tweeting, “Car free days are effected in cities that have subway/metro lines/rail lines, bike lanes and bike parks, mass bus transport systems and some have waterways serving the CBD…now look for these transport systems serving Nairobi CBD & tell me this is not a case of mad cow disease.”
The Minister said two days had been set aside to enable traders to sell their wares in the vehicle parking areas.
RELATED:Gospel Music Awards Presentation Leaves Tongues Wagging
The local Government that manages the affairs of the administrative Nairobi City County (NCC) had in May 2018 proposed to set aside Wednesdays and Saturdays as car-free days with the aim of freeing the city from unnecessary and time-wasting traffic jam.
Through the Nairobi Regeneration Committee that draws members from both central and local governments, NCC said reducing traffic getting in and out of Nairobi would help save time wasted in traffic snarl-ups.
The Government has announced that four Nairobi CBD streets–Harambee Avenue, City Hall Way, Taifa Road and Mama Ngina Street–shall be closed between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Friday, February 1, 2019 as it tests its Car-Free Day idea.
Only emergency and security vehicles and bicycles shall be allowed into the CBD.