CS James Macharia suspends car-free days pilot project in Nairobi

CS Macharia suspends car-free days pilot project

Mumbi Mutuko

January 30, 2019 4:21 PM

Car-free days in CBD halted

Transport CS James Macharia

Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Cabinet Secretary James Macharia announced that the pilot project of the car-free days has been suspended.

On Wednesday, the CS stated that the suspension was to enable them to vet hawkers and traders.

Thika Road will now have a dedicated lane to be used by Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) Pulse Live Kenya

He further noted that the government was looking into enhancing security measures.

Decongest the city

The Ministry had proposed car-free days in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) starting February 1.

Wednesdays and Saturdays were proposed as the car-free days as the Bus rapid transit (BRT) transit way are expected to begin operations in the capital.

This proposal was part of a plan by the government to decongest the city and inculcate the culture of using public means of transport in Nairobi.

The move was also geared towards tackling pollution, promote non-motorized transport and encourage physical exercise.

Intervention

Nairobi Senator Johson Sakaja on Wednesday held a meeting with the Ministry of Transport over the proposed car-free days' exercise.

Senator Sakaja with officials from the Ministry of Transport, The Nairobi Traffic Commander, Nairobi County Govt and hawkers representatives Pulse Live Kenya

Through a tweet, Sakaja stated that he had requested the parties involved to withdraw the exercise to facilitate proper planning.

“Held consultations with the Ministry of Transport, The Nairobi Traffic Commander, Nairobi County Govt and hawkers representatives on the proposed “car-free” days. I have advised them to put off the exercise to allow for better planning and proper public participation,” the tweet stated.

Mumbi Mutuko