Professor Washington Yotto  Ochieng: The man Governor Mike Sonko needs to meet

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Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero have tried to decongest Nairobi county’s central business district but have both failed miserably. Recently, Governor Sonko banned public service vehicles from accessing the CBD but his plan did not last 24 hours as it was called off.

Perhaps Governors like Sonko who have a dream of decongesting the city ought to sit at the feet of a fellow country man, Professor Washington Yotto  Ochieng who is the brain behind the London Congestion System.

 

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Did you know that Professor Ochieng is the one who designed the London Congestion System?

The Kenyan, who is the head of the biggest Centre for Transport Studies in the World at Imperial University College is credited for having designed the London Congestion System.

 

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The theory behind the system is that motorists are charged to drive through certain parts of the city thereby reducing the number of vehicles operating in it.

The Congestion charge is £11.50 which translates to about Ksh. 1,500 daily for driving a vehicle within the charging zone between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm from Monday to Friday. Drivers are however allowed free access on weekends, public holidays, between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day inclusive or between 6:00 pm and 7:00 am on weekdays.

 

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Vehicles also incur extra charges if they produce harmful emissions according to the set standards. The system also has incentives for motorists whose cars are environmentally friendly-fully electric and hydrogen fuelled.

Professor Washington Yotto  Ochieng’s research interests are in the design of positioning and navigation systems for land, sea and air applications; Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

 

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Nairobi city is congested and especially the city center. However, in as much as it is a great idea to try and decongest the city, the county government has failed to devise a concrete and sustainable plan that will help decongest the county.

Perhaps the place to begin is to have alternative means of transport for residents such a good railway system and a reliable bus system that will have those who enjoy the convenience of driving experience similar convenience while using a good developed transport system.

Do you think it is possible to fully decongest Nairobi county?

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