What car-free days mean for Nairobi residents

It was good and equally bad news for Nairobi residents who own cars and use them to access the central business district (CBD).

The policy that will see Nairobi having car-free days on Wednesday and Saturday comes before the implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system which will see only the BRT buses access the CBD.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia announced this move during the press conference on Monday drawing a lot of reactions from the public especially on twitter.

" The State should have consulted all stakeholders before effecting the directive, which is bound to be challenged in Court by aggrieved parties", @LSKPresident on the directive by Transport CS on car-free days in Nairobi CBD. pic.twitter.com/eu78zRGpqu

— Law Society of Kenya (@lawsocietykenya) January 29, 2019

So the alternative for all those who cannot take their cars into central Nairobi on car-free days is to get on one of the new buses. Even though there are only 67 of them and they are not yet in the country. Can I have some of what Cabinet Secretary James Macharia is drinking?

— Adrian Blomfield (@adrianblomfield) January 28, 2019

-What it means-

No private car(S) will access the CBD on the said days.

The public will be expected to use public service vehicles(PSV’s) on Wednesday and Saturday.

There will be designated parking spots on the two car-free days at Uhuru Park and Railways Bus terminus.

Hawkers will be expected to sell their products/wares on the streets on those two days.

The BRT buses will be imported from South Africa and a display will be done at Uhuru Park for the public to have a look.

“Sixty-four buses from South Africa will be used in the pilot programme. We are also in negotiations to import 11 others from Spain,” CS Macharia said.

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) statement read, “In our endeavour to grow the sector at 35 percent per year to achieve the desired 15 percent GDP contribution by 2022. The Buy Kenya Build Kenya Strategy should be rigorous and should prevail for products that can easily be manufactured within the country.”

The pilot phase will be rolled out at Harambee Avenue, Moi Avenue, City Hall Way and the Aga Khan Walk.