Harambee Avenue, City Hall Way, Taifa Road and Mama Ngina Street will remain closed on Friday as the Government conducts a pilot project for the recently proposed car free days aimed at decongesting Nairobi.
This is even as the first BRT bus is expected to arrive in the country within the next two weeks.Transport Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia Tuesday revealed that the roads will be closed on February 1 (Friday) between 8am and 4pm in order to free up space for residents to walk as well as allow traders to set up shop to sell their wares.
Macharia said that the pilot project, which is expected to continue for the next few weeks, would only affect a small area of the Central Business District but if successful would be extended to Moi Avenue, University way Haile Selassie and Uhuru Highway.
“The purpose of this exercise is to see how we can start freeing up the CBD so that it is easier moving in and out.
Our objective is to discourage people from using their vehicles so if you can leave your vehicle at home the better but if you have to come to the City, once we implement the initiative there will be designated parking areas at the periphery of the City,” stated Macharia.
The CS who was speaking during an interview with KTN emphasised that any form of a motor vehicle including Boda bodas, Tuk Tuks and bicycles will not be allowed on the designated streets to allow for citizens to shop freely saying that the government would not provide alternative designated parking spots.
“The pilot project is expected to go on for a few weeks but if it goes so well we will move on to the next phase as quickly as possible. We will also be moving to satellite towns such as Westlands and Upper Hill to introduce the same concept because they too have the same problems experienced in the CBD,” added Macharia.