Govt Bans Matatus From Nairobi Expressway 

The government has banned matatus and all Public Service Vehicles (PSV) carrying more than seven passengers from the Nairobi Expressway in a response to a series of accidents along the road. 

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) James Macharia stated on Wednesday, July 6 that the ban was part of an array of extreme measures to reduce overspeeding on the multi-billion road. 

The directive will however be on a temporary basis pending proper measures, some of whom have already been put in place by the operator. 

Collage of an accident along the Nairobi Expressway at Mlolongo Toll Station on July 4, 2022. /TWITTER

"Since the Nairobi Expressway was opened to the public, a number of traffic accidents and incidents involving commercial passenger vehicles have occurred on the expressway. These have necessitated an investigation into the cause of these accidents and incidents so that appropriate safety interventions can be developed to ensure that commercial passenger vehicles use the expressway safely. 

"The Ministry of Transport has, therefore, taken the decision to temporarily restrict commercial passenger vehicles with a capacity of more than seven (7) passengers from using the Nairobi Expressway, as we investigate the cause of these accidents and develop appropriate safety measures," read the statement in part. 

On top of introducing traffic officers at various points to enforce regulations such as speed limits along the highway, the government also vowed tough punishments on those who flout the rules. 

"The provisions of the Traffic Act will apply to those who do not observe stipulated speed limits. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of Section 42 of the Traffic Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of up to Ksh100,000."

In addition, the government has also installed speed cameras along the road and set through speed limit to 110 kilometres per hour. 

Rumble strips have also been installed to warn drivers to slowdown as they approach various toll gates.

The ban comes after most recent accident along the road involved a 33-seater matatu which overturned at the entrance in Westlands. It was operating under the Super Metro Sacco and was reported to be speeding towards the city centre.

The bus overturned at the entrance to the toll station, cutting off the entrance to motorists who join and exit the road at Westlands near Lion Place.

Coincidentally, it came after media personality Caroline Mutoko raised an alarm regarding matatus being allowed to use the elevated road, but her remarks were not taken too lightly by Kenyans On Twitter (KOT).

Media personality Caroline Mutoko. /YOUTUBE