By Millicent Muthoni

A 27-member committee deliberating on the evolution of Nairobi into a 24-hour city by November is in the final stages of strategising how to achieve a night-time economy. According to Tim Muriuki, chairman of Nairobi Central Business District Association (NCBDA), the biggest challenge remains a change in attitude.

Starting November, the market will close at midnight.

"People must start thinking about how to maximise on resources," he says. "If we let our buildings and machines sleep at night, then we get just half the value."

The committee was created by the National Economic and Social Council under the Vision 2030. Members are drawn from the Ministries of Transport, Tourism, Information and Communication, Public Health and Sanitation, Roads, Energy and Public Works. Also represented are Kenya Bus Service, City Council of Nairobi, Nairobi Central Business District Association and the University of Nairobi. The Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development also sits in.

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City Market a priority

Muriuki reveals that the first target on the list of after-dark business hub is the City Market and other council markets. "The City Market closes at 6pm but we want to extend its operation hours," he says. "Starting November, the market will close at midnight."

Muriuki is confident about this futuristic Nairobi, revealing that some sectors of business are already operating round-the clock. These include hospitals, security companies, some factories, entertainment spots, call centres and, recently, supermarkets.

"We want to see more shops, banks and factories working the night shift," says Muriuki. He explains some of the advantages of factories operating at night: "They ease the strain on electricity consumption during the day and reduce the pressure factories exert on the national grid," he says. "Equally, traffic congestion in the city caused by off-loading trucks will be abridged. There should be a rule that prevents vehicle off-loads during the day within a certain boundary in the metropolis."

Challenges to a 24-hour economy

The threats to the 24-hour economy have been cited as insecurity and an inefficient public transport network. "Buses and matatus should be able to operate round the clock and penetrate to as many residential areas as possible, otherwise the 24-hour economy will collapse," says Muriuki. "Security needs to be heightened to ensure people access their neighbourhoods safely at any time of the night."

He also cites council by-laws that restrict times of closing business saying they need to be revised.