The government has suspended the much hyped Nairobi car free days on Wednesday and Saturday for a further two weeks .
According to Transport CS James Macharia, the implementation which was meant to kick-off on Friday has been pushed forward by two weeks.
The directive has been suspended to allow the vetting of hawkers who will be allowed in the CBD and also to enhance security on those days.
“These vetting will involve measures to enhance security taking into consideration the recent terror attack in DusitD2,” Macharia told the Star.
The Transport PS Paul Maringa had said there will be no cars allowed in the CBD on Wednesdays and Saturdays. He said the government dedicated parking in Uhuru Park and Railways as no car would be allowed within the CBD during these two days.
Maringa said during the set days, hawkers will be allowed to sell their wares with the move set to generate Sh39.5 million daily revenue to the government from over 100,000 hawkers.
Senator Johnson Sakaja earlier on Wednesday indicated that he had held consultations with the Ministry of Transport, Nairobi Traffic Commander, Nairobi County Government 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,” Sakaja stated.
The pilot phase was expected to take place on Friday starting 8am until 4pm and the roads affected would have included; Harambee Avenue, City Hall Way, Taifa Road and Mama Ngina Street.