Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko insists that his administration will implement the proposed plan to decongest the city by barring Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) from entering the Central Business District (CBD).
Speaking when he accompanied President Kenyatta to the graduation ceremony of KCB’s 2jiajiri programme beneficiaries, Sonko says he will continue with the plan even if it will cost him his seat.
“Mimi na ndugu yangu rais tumesema afadhali tuache legacy kuliko kupiga siasa ya pesa nane,” he says. (The President and I have said we’d rather leave a legacy than engage in petty politics.)
Sonko further says that his administration is committed to bringing order in the city by banning matatus from the city centre as well as implementing the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to address traffic menace.
“Kutembea ni exercise na bado mtatembea tena. Tutachunga masilahi ya wale wamama wako na mimba, the physically challenged and the elderly. It is only one kilometer from railways to the CBD. Kama Governor, sitakubali laziness, mtatembea na mtatembea tena,” he vows. (Walking is good exercise, we will just look after the pregnant, physically challenged and the elderly… As governor, I will not allow laziness, you will walk.)
The ban had taken effect on Monday but Sonko suspended it after pressure from residents, leaders and matatu operators.
Sonko adds: “Nairobi is our international city… Tuwache kufanya siasa na hii maneno pia naona drill zinafanywa hata airport, kwa malls kuji prepare against disasters kwa hivyo hata nairobi nilikua nataka kujaribu tuone kama… na bado, tunajipanga na tukiwa tayari na ile mradi wa BRT, tayari lanes tumetengeneza.”
If you take care of the…
If you take care of the disabled and those others who can’t walk far then all the rest should walk including those in private cars. Actually Sonko you should start by walking then the rest can follow.
This is what happens when…
This is what happens when people send a boy to do a man’s job. His intentions are good, his approach and implementation lamentable. You should first come up with a smooth way for people to get to work then kick away the Matatus.
Private vehicles have…
Private vehicles have nothing to do in town . Public transport is essential. less polution and less congestion . BUT a busline system with connection points and time table to start with must be in place. we can start planning for light railway later. but since little knowledge is poison we get into situation like last monday. Now Sonko is threatening working people with long walks is not the solution of Nairobi transport system
I agree, no matatus in CBD…
I agree, no matatus in CBD. If you live in NYC or DC or other metropolitan cities around USA, pahali metro bus or train stops , ndio hapo , kama unaenda a few blocks jipange! Kenyans are so spoilt. Where there is a will , there is a way. Yeah shuttle buses for pregnant women, disabled and eldery, yinyi wengine, jipangeni! I never complain to Mayor of DC when I want to go to some street where Metro does not have a stop ! You want to call Nairobi a world class city( prolly not ha haha, ) , then act like it!
Having said watu wajipange,…
Having said watu wajipange, yeah Sonko should introduce cheap shuttles running around the city quickly and that is what he should have tried to implement but then again with a congested Matatu city , that would have been killed off by hooligan matatu operators , so maybe this is the only way?
The diaspora community…
The diaspora community support you Sonko but I urge you to read our comments. Introduce light rails and do it in phases. Go Sonko!
Kwani Sonko ndie nani…
Kwani Sonko ndie nani awamulu watu watembee kwa nguvu?I hope somebody will sue him for that.Kenyans a.k.a,ATMs can afford to vomit or poop some millions in compensation for Sonko’s grave mistake.”Dr” Mbuvi cannot force me to walj.
High parking fees in NYC,…
High parking fees in NYC, London , Amsterdam are meant to keep vehicles out of town.Sonko has reduced the parking fee and charges per DAY instead of Per hour. matatus and private vehicles have no place in the city centre . but not all Sonko version . Nairobi and rest of Kenya major towns need basic physical and transport structure . replacement of small public vehicles is a must