CS Murkomen Allows Matatus Back on Nairobi Expressway

The government has lifted the suspension of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) from using the Nairobi Expressway. 

A year ago, PSVs with more than seven occupants were not allowed to use the Expressway due to safety incidents and road deaths. In one instance, an Embassava Sacco minibus crashed into other vehicles at the Mlolongo entry toll gate. On Thursday, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that the interim suspension has been successful as PSVs had taken the necessary steps to make sure their automobiles were suitable and complied with the established regulations. The rescinding of the restriction comes a day after chaos rocked Mombasa Road and the Expressway which was damaged at Mlolongo during the opposition’s anti-government protests. 

The Expressway, constructed and funded by the China Road and Bridge Corporation with a public-private partnership model, is 27.1 kilometres long and it cost the government Sh87 billion. It runs from the western area of the city to the south-eastern edge and reportedly carries an average of 50,000 vehicles a day. There are 10 interchanges along the Expressway, including the SGR terminus at JKIA, Eastern Bypass, Southern Bypass and Enterprise Road. 

Since its launch, the Nairobi Expressway has been lauded for easing traffic congestion on Mombasa Road. CS Murkomen also condemned the destruction of toll stations at Mlolongo, Syokimau, and SGR stations. 

“We have asked the Director of Criminal Investigations to carry out thorough investigations and ensure perpetrators are apprehended and punished. As a country, we cannot normalize such acts of violence, lawlessness, and vandalism committed on the pretext of exercising political rights.”