BY SHADRACK NYAKOE
Nairobi County Chief Officer for Security and Compliance Mark Leleruk has proposed that all Matatu stages should be moved out of the CBD.
He said the move, together with phasing out 14-seater Matatu’s and introducing High-Capacity buses will decongest the CBD.
He was speaking while appearing before the Justice and Legal affairs Committee.
The Committee is chaired by Kahawa Ward MCA Joseph Komu.
Leleruk said traffic congestion is expected to decline with the launch of the Green Park, Fig Tree and Muthurwa bus stages.
He said several fatal accidents have occurred because of the increased congestion in the city.
“Since traffic management is the sole responsibility of the transport sector, and our role is limited to enforcement, I would like to recommend that parking fee should be increased and be charged hourly to discourage private motorists from accessing the CBD. It is important to sensitize the public on the benefits of a decongested City Center,” he said.
He also complained that there are many court injunctions involving traffic matters.
The owner of Odeon building Wambui Njogu told the Committee that there was an increase in illegal allocation of stages where over five SACCOs each with five vehicles have caused disruption of business outside her premises.
She added that touts who scramble for customers at times steal from clients visiting her premises.
Wambui complained that Matatus have attracted food kiosks and hawkers who litter the place.
“My appeal to the transport sector is to address the matter of illegal stages especially along Tom Mboya Street and put in place measures to ensure Matatus strictly operate outside the CBD. This will ensure the safety of commuters,” she said.
CBD Ward Rep Daniel Ngengi said a pedestrian namely Cecilia Njeri died after being hit by a Matatu while crossing the road along Tom Mboya Street.
The daughter of the Deputy Inspector General of Police Edward Mbugua -Nelly Waithera was also hit by a Matatu at the Khoja roundabout and died.
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