Car free days hits bump delaying pilot launch

The government’s plan to introduce car free days in Nairobi City will have to wait a little longer following a consultative meeting where security concerns, proper planning and public participation were discussed.

Following the meeting, the launch of the car free program will not occur on February 1, as had been anticipated, but has instead been deferred ‘until further notice’ according to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia.

pic.twitter.com/oIwzfpClFT

— CS James Macharia, EGH (@JamesMacharia_) January 30, 2019

The Transport CS attributed the deferment to the incomplete biometric registration of traders who are expected to occupy the streets of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on the intended car free days.

CS Macharia said, “The capture of the Biometric data of the traders using the BVR kits has not been completed as anticipated. This is an essential security measure that has to be finalised.”

The announcement came after Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja revealed on his Twitter page that he had held consultations with stakeholders concerning the pilot launch of the car free days system within the Nairobi CBD.

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According to Sakaja, the consultative meeting included the Ministry of Transport, The Nairobi Traffic Commander, Nairobi County Govt and hawkers representatives.

“I have advised them to put off the exercise to allow for better planning and proper public participation,” the Nairobi Senator said.

Held consultations with the Ministry of Transport, The Nairobi Traffic Commander, Nairobi County Govt and hawkers representatives on the proposed “car-free” days. I have advised them to put off the exercise to allow for better planning and proper public participation. pic.twitter.com/C82rGxfzft

— Sakaja A. Johnson, CBS (@SakajaJohnson) January 30, 2019

The Transport Ministry had announced on Monday the government’s plan to section out Wednesdays and Saturdays as car free days, thereby restricting access of vehicles into the Nairobi CBD.

Alongside this, the Transport Ministry also plans to roll out the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which will see mega buses ferry passengers.

The BRT buses are being imported from South Africa, with 64 of them expected to be commissioned in February.

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