Kidero Forms Team to Decongest City Traffic

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has appointed an eight-member committee to come up with recommendations on how to decongest traffic in the City. Prof Marion Mutugi of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology will chair the Transport and Urban Decongestion Committee, which was tasked to review the existing transport termini with a view to creating a vibrant, safe, secure and reliable transport system.

The committee is expected to commence its work immediately and give its findings within two months. The team will prepare an interim report which will be handed over to the governor’s office within 60 days and a final report in 90 days. Members of the committee include Mark Ngatia (vice-chair), Joyce Simiti, Dickson Mbugua of Matatu Welfare Association, Anne Nicklin, B. O. Maroko (Sacco rep), Anthony Kirimi (taxi rep), Henry Ochieng, Francis Munyambu and Simon Kimutai (Matatu Owners Association).

Newly-formed Transport and Urban Decongestion Committee chairperson Prof Marion Mutungi with Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai at the City Hall in Nairobi yesterday. Photo/John Ochieng

The team will collect views from the sector’s stakeholders across all the 17 constituencies as well as seek expertise from specialist agencies and individuals, with county secretary directed to give it administrative and financial support.

Speaking after the committee was unveiled, Mutugi urged city dwellers to air their views to the committee to end the traffic nightmare that has bedevilled Nairobi and its environs. “Traffic congestion has continuously led to loss of working hours, which in the end is very costly to the county’s development and residents as well,” she said.

The committee will formulate policy on attitude and behaviour change among drivers, touts, passengers and pedestrians. It is also expected to come up with a policy seeking to encourage pedestrians to use foot bridges and Zebra crossing as well as recommend measures to improve current and future traffic flow.

Pick-up points In his speech, Kidero said the existing bus-stops will also be reviewed and realigned to improve efficiency. He directed the committee to carry out route verification and validation of the illegal matatu pick-up points and recommend the way forward. “The city has to be improved to attract more investors,” said Kidero. Meanwhile, three senior officials at the City Fire Department have been suspended over alleged negligence after fire razed several homes in Kariobangi estate on Saturday.

“As a county, we regret the incident which was caused by negligence by some of our officers. Appropriate disciplinary action has been instituted against the officers on duty,” said county secretary Lilian Ndegwa. She said the county has five fire engines which are too old and break down often, costing the county a lot of money in repairs.

“However we are in a process of procuring seven new fire engines and build two new fire stations through the Sh1.1 billion Belgium government financing” announced Ndegwa. Currently the city has only one functioning public fire station Street which was built in 1906 located along Tom Mboya Street.

Source: The People